Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley is working on his chemistry with rookie first-round quarterback Cam Ward this offseason after failing to find much chemistry with QB Will Levis a year ago. Coaches assigned Ridley and Ward lockers next to each other, and their communication appears to be flowing on and off the field, according to the Nashville Post's John Glennon. "It's easy to relate to him for me. He's fun. He's easy to talk ball with. I just like him a lot," Ridley said. The 30-year-old pass-catcher is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has topped 60 catches in five of his six NFL seasons. He finished tied for fifth with 19 catches of 20-plus yards in 2024, and Ward excelled on deep passes last year at Miami. It remains to be seen how good Ward will be in his first NFL season, but Ridley should once again have little competition for targets in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Titans have been pleased with rookie first-round quarterback Cam Ward's progress this offseason as he learns the offense. "Pleased with where he's at," head coach Brian Callahan said. The head coach also said that Ward is picking things up pretty quickly as far as the mental part of the transition to the NFL. Although the 23-year-old first overall pick has been splitting reps evenly with Will Levis during offseason workouts, Ward is fully expected to win the starting QB job going into the 2025 regular season this fall. The Miami product has high-end arm strength and set an NCAA record with 158 career touchdown passes. There's plenty to like about Ward long term, but he's not much of a scrambler, and the Titans don't have a ton of weapons for him to be much more than a low-end QB2 with upside in fantasy in his rookie season.
Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com reports that the Tennessee Titans have signed quarterback Cam Ward to his rookie deal. The first overall pick of April's draft inked a four-year, $48.75 million contract with a $32.1 million signing bonus. Though the Miami alum has been splitting reps evenly with teammate Will Levis thus far in the offseason, there is little reason to believe he won't be able to overtake him come the start of the year. It isn't guaranteed, but unless Levis has significantly improved since his playing time last season, the draft capital and talent will likely prevail. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Ward to impact fantasy lineups immediately, but if he opts to scramble often early on, it would be a big boost to his floor.
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan isn't rushing to make any announcements on the team's starting quarterback despite the team taking Cam Ward with the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft. So far as the Titans work through Phase 2 of their offseason activities, Ward and Will Levis have split reps evenly. "It will change probably a little bit when we get to the next phase of OTAs and there's some 7-on-7," Callahan said Tuesday. Callahan also praised both signal-callers with how they've handled the situation so far. Levis worked with personal QB coach Jordan Palmer in California in the offseason, while Ward has been gradually getting to know his new teammates while learning the playbook. Callahan said it's premature to name Ward the starter since there is a lot of work to be done in the next three months, but it will be a surprise if the Miami product isn't starting in Week 1 on the road against Denver.
Titans Adding Familiar Concepts To Offense For Cam Ward
The Tennessee Titans are working to make rookie quarterback Cam Ward as comfortable as possible in his new NFL offense, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Head coach Brian Callahan and company are integrating passing concepts from Miami's offense last season to help expedite the transition from college to the pros for its No. 1 overall pick. "We have it all broken down and put it all in our terminology," Callahan said. "We try to teach our system the way we run it, and then we take input from Cam." The team hopes to replicate the early success of CJ Stroud in 2023 and Jayden Daniels in 2024, and Ward has made a habit of having strong first years in new systems. The Texas native transitioned from a wing-T offense in high school to an air raid scheme as a freshman at Incarnate Word. He then had two fantastic years at Washington State before becoming a Heisman contender in just one season at Miami. While Ward appears to be pro-ready, it's still most common for rookie quarterbacks to have a healthy amount of ups and downs. Additionally, the Titans' pass-catching group, led by Calvin Ridley, is one of the worst in the NFL, so fantasy football expectations for Ward should be tempered in Year 1.
Xavier Restrepo Reunites With Cam Ward In Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans have signed former Miami Hurricane wide receiver Xavier Restrepo as an undrafted free agent, reuniting him with his college quarterback and first-overall pick Cam Ward. Ward was reportedly a "major advocate" for the wideout, and the two will now get an opportunity to take their collegiate connection to the NFL field. Restrepo spent five seasons in Miami, but didn't break out until 2023 when he recorded an 85/1,092/6 line in 13 games. With the arrival of Ward the following season, the 23-year-old upped his TD total to 11, while notching more yards (1,127) and YPC (16.3) -- leading the Canes in every significant statistical category for pass-catchers. Whether he'll make his way onto the field in three WR sets remains to be seen. However, outside of teammates Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, his other target competition isn't too daunting.
Titans Take Cam Ward First Overall In 2025 NFL Draft
As expected, the Tennessee Titans selected University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. This had been the expectation for several weeks now. The Titans fell in love with Ward quickly after meeting with him for the first time at the scouting combine in February. The 22-year-old has good size, a big arm and plenty of mobility to make plays outside of the pocket. In his only year with the Hurricanes, Ward threw for a career-high 4,313 passing yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions while racking up 204 rushing yards and four TDs on 60 carries. He should be considered more of a pocket passer at the next level, where he figures to start immediately over former second-rounder Will Levis. Look for the Titans to try and clean up his mechanics to help with his accuracy. Ward has the skills to be a solid NFL starter in time, but inconsistencies should be expected in Year 1.
Titans Officially Staying Put At No. 1 Overall Pick, Expected To Select Cam Ward
In a media availability on Tuesday, Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi confirmed the team will make a selection with the No. 1 overall pick rather than trading down. "We've come to a consensus," Borgonzi said. "We'll pick at No. 1 on Thursday night." Since at least the 2025 NFL combine, the belief has been that Tennessee will select Miami quarterback Cam Ward at the top of this week's draft, and Borgonzi's statement all but confirms that will be the case. After 2023 second-round pick Will Levis struggled in 2024 with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 12 games, Tennessee is poised to bring in its franchise quarterback of the future. Ward threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his lone season with the Hurricanes and finished fourth in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting behind Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Dillon Gabriel.
TitansInsider.com Terry McCormick writes that the Tennessee Titans have become sold on taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in next Thursday night's 2025 NFL draft. Although this year's QB class is widely regarded as weak across the board, the Titans entered the offseason fully expected to give former second-rounder Will Levis competition after he flopped in 2024. Initially, Ward was a wild-card in the Titans' evaluations and it looked like Colorado's Shedeur Sanders would be a better fit for head coach Brian Callahan's offense. However, an 18-minute conversation with Ward at the combine in February may have been what really sold the Titans on him. The 22-year-old then "knocked it out of the park" in his official top-30 visit on March 7. Tennessee came away even more impressed with Ward after his Pro Day workout on March 24, and he's likely going to be their starter under center come Week 1 in 2025.
All Signs Point To Titans Taking Cam Ward At No. 1 Overall
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that all signs appear to be pointing to the Tennessee Titans taking University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Russini goes on to say that the only way the Titans part with the No. 1 pick is through a history trade package. The Titans canceled their private workout with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders last week, which is further proof that they have their sights set on taking Ward as the first overall pick in a few weeks. Former second-rounder Will Levis flopped in his shot as the team's starting signal-caller in 2024 and led the league with 18 turnovers, leading to his benching. The 22-year-old will expected to come in immediately and start in Week 1 in 2025 after throwing for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions last year.
Calvin Ridley
• WR
•
Titans
|
