The Tennessee Titans officially sign quarterback Cam Ward to a whopping $48.75 million rookie contract ahead of the 2025 season.
The Tennessee Titans used the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward. He joins a team that largely struggled last season, and the franchise seemingly believes he can become the franchise quarterback they need. Ward's tenure in Tennessee officially began on Wednesday, as the incoming rookie finally signed his first NFL contract.
Reports indicate that Cam Ward is signing a $48.75 million fully guaranteed contract, according to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. The new Titans quarterback also received $32.1 million as a signing bonus.
“Sources: The Titans and No. 1 overall pick QB Cam Ward have agreed to a 4-year, $48.75M fully guaranteed rookie contract, including a $32.1M signing bonus. The deal is done. A new era in Tennessee can officially begin.”
A fully guaranteed deal shows just how much the Titans believe in Cam Ward. The franchise fell in love with the soon-to-be 23-year-old quarterback during the draft process. Tennessee initially admitted from the beginning that they were open to all possibilities, however, Ward won the organization over with his talent, confidence, and leadership abilities.
Ward has one of the most unique stories for a prospect quarterback. He was a 0-star recruit coming out of high school and chose to attend Incarnate Word, as that was the only program that gave him an offer. After two years at Incarnate Word, Cam Ward transferred to Washington State, where he played for two seasons.
During that time, Ward displayed playmaking abilities and helped the Cougars remain competitive. He originally wanted to enter the NFL Draft in 2024, but he was deemed a third or fourth-round pick. Instead, Ward opted to transfer to Miami, where he grew exponentially as a prospect.
Cam Ward capped off his final collegiate year with the Hurricanes, throwing for 4,313 passing yards and 39 touchdowns while owning a 67.2% completion percentage. He broke Miami's single-season record for passing yards and touchdowns, while also leading the entire FBS in passing touchdowns last season.
Although Tennessee picked Ward No. 1 overall and just signed him to a $48.75 million deal, head coach Brian Callahan has not named him the starting quarterback. It's early in the offseason, but the Titans are in the midst of a camp battle with Will Levis competing for the starting role. Regardless, Cam Ward is the future of this organization.
PFF has incredibly false take on Cam Ward's situation with Titans
One wouldn't know it from the way the Tennessee Titans have been discussed in the last few months, but they are a team on the rise, spearheaded by one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the game in No. 1 pick Cam Ward.
A bad small-market team like the Titans will never get oodles of pre-draft coverage, but it's unfair to both Ward and new GM Mike Borgonzi for analysts around the media landscape to be so pessimistic with regard to the improvements this team has made.
Pro Football Focus ranked the situations that all rookie quarterbacks find themselves in as it pertains to their surrounding weapons, coaching stability, and chance for immediate playing time. Somehow, despite the improvements Tennessee has made, Ward comes in third on this ranking.
New York Giants first-rounder Jaxson Dart was ranked as having the best situation, while New Orleans Saints second-rounder Tyler Shough came in ahead of Ward, citing concerns about the No. 1 pick's lack of wide receiver talent. Is that enough to overrule everything else Ward has at his disposal?
PFF declares Titans QB Cam Ward in a worse situation than Tyler Shough
The Titans have a solid No. 1 receiver in Calvin Ridley, a quality running game led by Tony Pollard, and one of the AFC's best offensive lines after paying top dollar for left tackle Dan Moore and right guard Kevin Zeitler. Brian Callahan is on the hot seat, but he does have an offensive background.
Shough may have Ward beat on quarterback stability, but that New Orleans roster is so threadbare that it would surprise no one if they ended up with the No. 1 overall pick. Chris Olave is not a needle-mover, and their promising tackle duo of Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga might not be enough to overcome a terrible interior offensive line.
Dart does have Malik Nabers, a solid offensive line, and the benefit of getting to develop under Brian Daboll. However, Dart is third on the depth chart in New York behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. If he is forced to play early, the Giants' meat-grinder of a schedule can lead to some struggles.
Ward has been perpetually under-hyped by the national media, and now it seems like the overall Titans roster is also getting smacked around. A strong start against an admittedly difficult schedule could be all that Ward needs to get the doubters on his side.
