Former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward spent much of his illustrious 2024 season developing a reputation as someone who’s cool, calm, and collected on the field, maintaining an unwaveringly level disposition at all times.
However, during the Tennessee Titans’ OTAs, that reputation flipped. In Wednesday’s practice, Ward and the Titans’ top defensive player, Jeffrey Simmons, got into a heated exchange after Simmons recorded a would-be sack on the rookie quarterback.
Two interesting developments arose from their exchange: first, it wasn’t the one-sided trash talk many would expect between a 6’4", 300-pound all-pro defensive tackle and a rookie quarterback. Ward gave it right back to Simmons, jawing so much that it bled into Titans’ head coach Brian Callahan’s play call for the following rep.
The second moment came when Callahan called in the next play while Ward was still going back and forth with Simmons, assuming the rookie hadn’t heard him. But despite having only a few months with the playbook, Ward rattled off the call perfectly.
This showcases a skill that a coach desperately wants to see in their first overall pick: the ability to remain calm through chaos. It goes without saying that a practice in June is very different from a game at Arrowhead Stadium, but it’s impressive to see that Ward can already keep a cool head—even when it seems the opposite is true.
Regardless, it’s amusing to see Ward displaying such emotion on the field, especially considering one of the main aspects that stood out about his game coming out of Miami was his perceived lack of it. Many top draft analysts frequently highlighted this, but Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice really hit the nail on the head with this quote about Ward from his pre-draft writeup.
“His path on a play, much like his path in football, can seem unorthodox; a sidearm pass here, a flat-footed chuck there, an off-platform heave over there, all while seemingly playing with a heart rate that never goes above 60 BPM.” Tice wrote.
Fans saw Ward float effortlessly in the pocket all season, dissecting opposing defenses with seemingly carefree confidence. However, what’s seen on the field shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of care or preparation.
This ties back to Wednesday’s events, where Callahan expressed his surprise at Ward’s ability to engage in his banter with Simmons while also listening to Callahan and doing his job.
“I'm not used to calling plays to a quarterback who is still talking while I'm talking to him, and that is great," Callahan said. “He didn't miss a beat when it came to calling the play and staying on top of it, and then executing when it came time to execute. That was a new experience for me, but it was fun."
Moments like this reveal why the Titans believe Ward can thrive in the NFL: his unique ability to blend fire with focus, even as a rookie. The top quarterbacks in the league today all seem to exhibit the same cool confidence that Ward radiates on every play. While this isn't a prediction that Ward can reach those same heights, it highlights a crucial trait he shares with the league’s elite: confidence that elevates those around them.
If Ward can continue to blend this unshakeable confidence with sharp execution, don’t be surprised if the former Hurricane brings similar success to Tennessee as he did in Coral Gables.
