Reports from earlier in June shared how Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward impressed teammates such as defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons with his willingness to engage in trash talk during springtime workouts.
For a piece published Friday, Titans insider Turron Davenport of ESPN expanded on how veteran Tennessee players such as Simmons and right tackle JC Latham are "excited about the leadership qualities" that Ward showed throughout the offseason program.
Specifically, Latham recently mentioned that Ward took accountability when mistakes were made during certain drills and plays even when it was "not 100 percent on him." Latham also touched upon an interaction that involved some back-and-forth jawing between Simmons and Ward.
"I guess Jeff must have gotten too close to Cam, so he head-butted Jeff," Latham explained. "As a quarterback who hasn't played any snaps and seeing Jeff as the top dog of the team, he's not backing down and going right at him."
It seems to be only a matter of time before Titans head coach Brian Callahan confirms that Ward, the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, is the "top dog" of the Tennessee offense over 2023 second-round pick Will Levis. Callahan benched Levis for poor play this past December, and Levis acknowledged in May that it "sucks" to see the writing on the wall.
For a piece published on June 16, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote that the alleged Ward-Levis battle for the QB1 gig is "a competition in name only."
According to Davenport, "Callahan's offseason program focused on finding emerging leaders" for the Titans. It seems Ward passed his early tests with flying colors.
"Veteran running back Tony Pollard did Ward's signature 'Zombieland' celebration towards the defense after Ward connected with Calvin Ridley for a long touchdown during minicamp," Davenport added. "Outside linebacker Arden Key and the defense returned the favor toward Ward after cornerback Davion Ross intercepted Ward the next day."
Such moments indicate Ward's teammates have embraced him as Tennessee's new starter even though Callahan made no public declaration before the club's summer break. Barring a shocking development, Ward will get the nod for Tennessee's Week 1 game at the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7.
