Titans' Ward 'all about business' ahead of rookie season
Quarterback Cam Ward is focused on proving the Tennessee Titans made the right choice by selecting him first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
"I (want people to know) I am all about business," Ward said, according to team reporter Jim Wyatt. "I really want to be a pro. I want to be one of the great ones, and I want to be a good teammate at the end of the day. I want to win a lot of football games in my career, and I am excited to be around good vets like (Calvin) Ridley, good guys up front like Lloyd (Cushenberry) and JC (Latham) and those guys. I am excited, and ready to get to work."
Ward has dived into the Titans' playbook since his name was called April 24 by commissioner Roger Goodell. The 22-year-old was among a contingent of draftees who took part in the team's two-day rookie minicamp. On Monday, he joined Tennessee's veterans who are participating in the club's offseason program.
Ward acknowledged he still has some lessons ahead of him, but he has learned enough of the playbook at this point in the offseason.
"I don't know the whole playbook yet, but I know the majority of it to go play a game," Ward said. "But I know I have a lot more work to do, and I am willing to do it."
The Miami product is intent to learn as much as possible about his team before his NFL debut. Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi said the Titans weren't going to name any starters at this point in the offseason. Ward will have to compete for the starting job in a QB room that includes 2023 second-round pick Will Levis, who has started 21 games over two seasons. Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle are among the Titans' other options on the depth chart.
"The idea here is to have competition in the room," Borgonzi said April 29 following the draft, according to CBS Sports' Shanna McCarriston.
While the rookie signal-caller embraces the competitive spirit, he's also eyeing a leadership role on the team.
"I want to be a leader," Ward said, per Wyatt. "I want to be there for my teammates. When everything goes down, I want to be the person to lift everybody back up."