The Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1 overall pick in this past April’s 2025 NFL Draft. In most cases, coverage of the first pick is not an issue. This time around, it appears to be different. Stories such as the fall of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the Jacksonville Jaguars trading up for two-way star Travis Hunter overshadowed the Titans’ new quarterback. Based on events post-draft, this looks to have continued.
The 2025 NFL schedule was recently released, and there is not a single primetime game for the Titans. The league usually showcases a first-overall quarterback selection at least one time under the bright lights. This time around, nothing, not even a Thursday Night Football slot, which often draws a little less viewership than Sunday and Monday nights anyway. Better yet, not even the London game, which has less than half the viewership of the Thursday night game on average.
NFL Network analyst Kyle Brandt spoke out about the situation.
The disrespect seems obvious not just towards Ward but the Titans in general. Various media members and fans recognize it, so the team surely does as well. That could serve as motivation going into the 2025 season.
Looking back at quarterbacks taken first overall in recent memory (Williams, Young, Lawrence, Burrow, Murray, Mayfield), they all had at least one primetime game in their rookie years. Is the NFL trying to tell us that they do not feel highly enough of Ward?
There is also an overall viewership argument regarding the Titans, but as Brandt mentioned in the above video, what about teams like the Carolina Panthers and Jaguars? They have both been towards the bottom based on viewership in recent memory, yet the NFL was able to find a primetime slot for them and their rookie quarterbacks. Perhaps Ward is not viewed as a real needle mover.
The expectations from the Titans overall are also low. According to “Sports Illustrated,” predictions are they will finish with a 6-11 record. While this would double their win total from 2024, it does not scream primetime. Some feel that there is not enough around Ward to make the team appealing to watch.
Outside of Calvin Ridley, who is 30 going on 31, there is more to desire regarding the receivers. There is an aging Tyler Lockett, who is coming off his least productive season since 2017, and Treylon Burks, who is unproven and coming off ACL surgery. Those factors could have influenced the NFL’s decision regarding the Titans’ schedule.
Ward has done all the right things thus far to begin his NFL career. Both coaches and teammates have raved over his leadership qualities and work ethic both on and off the field. He puts in the work inside the film room and looks to be a true student of the game. These are the qualities possessed by the top QBs in the league.
Sure, the Titans still have a long way to go. They are rebuilding with a rookie QB, so a turnaround will not happen overnight. The organization is moving in the right direction, however, and I feel they have the right guy in place to lead the way. With his combination of talent and work ethic, Ward has everything needed to become the Titans’ franchise quarterback.
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