Cam Ward will wear No. 1 jersey with Tennessee Titans with the blessing of Hall of Famer Warren Moon
The Tennessee Titans had a pleasant surprise in store for No. 1-overall pick Cam Ward during his introductory news conference Friday.
Houston Oilers legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon arrived as a special guest, not only hugging Ward but giving him his blessing to wear his retired No. 1 jersey as a Titan.
"I wore the No. 1 for a lot of different reasons, and I wore it for a long time starting back in 1976 when I was in college. I think I wore it very honorably for the Houston Oilers organization to the point where I created a Hall of Fame career for myself," said Moon, who flew in from his home in Houston for the surprise announcement. "Now I'm part of the Tennessee Titans family and my Houston Oiler will probably never be worn again — I hope not, but the Tennessee Titans jersey is going to be worn by Cam. And Cam will be starting a new … freshness in this organization to kind of revitalize it and get it back to where it was a number of years ago when we were one of the more successful organizations in the league. I'm excited to see what he's going to do with his legacy wearing this number."
Ward cold-called Moon about a month ago when the Titans were zeroing in on him as the top pick to see if Moon would "unretire" his number for him. The number was retired by the Titans organization in 2006, the year Moon entered the Hall of Fame.
"I didn't know this (Moon's visit) was going on, but I knew this was going to happen, and I'm excited that Mr. Moon is giving me his blessing with this number. But to me, the number would never mean anything. It's all about the plays you make on the field, so I'm ready for this opportunity with my teammates," said Ward, who became the top pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.
Ward, who was born in 2002, acknowledged he didn't know about Moon until the draft process began and the possibility of playing for the Titans began to become a possibility. So he watched highlights to familiarize himself with the franchise legend, who stepped away from the game in 2000 at age 44.
"Before I called him I made sure I watched his highlights to make sure he was legit. He was. He was legit. I'm trying to get up to his level one day. It might take me a little time, but I'll get there eventually. He's a Hall of Famer and for me to be in that same number that he was in is an honor," Ward said.
The Titans now put their faith in Ward to become the face of the franchise and elevate a team that has endured three consecutive losing seasons, bottoming out at 3-14 last year.
"We went through the whole process with him, and we came away impressed obviously with the player, but also the person that he is, the leader and the teammate. We didn't think there was anyone more deserving to represent this franchise than Cam Ward," general manager Mike Borgonzi said.
Ward, who played at three different schools — Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami — said being taken first overall by the Titans was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream.
"I've been praying for this since I was 6 years old. I'm ready to get to work, ready to be with my teammates and try to win some games in the future," said Ward, who threw for 4,313 yards with 44 touchdown passes for Miami last season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
7 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Patriots coach: Maye's leadership skills at quarterback ‘a work in progress'
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye proved his football skills during a solid 12-start rookie campaign. Heading into 2025, head coach Mike Vrabel wants to see his young signal-caller improve his leadership skills. 'I think that there is a lot of room to grow,' Vrabel said Monday, noting that Maye is just 22 and early in his pro development. 'I think there's a lot of natural leadership qualities. I think I have to encourage him, continue to encourage him and to put him in those positions to do that so that the players understand that there's a different version of all of us,' Vrabel said. 'There's one that's maybe off the field, there's one in the meeting room, and then there's a version on the field, which we all have to understand is somewhat different than what it may be off the field.' Vrabel, entering his first season as the head coach in New England, said leadership isn't the exclusive property of a quarterback. Vrabel should know, having been a leader of the Patriots' defense as a linebacker during the 2000s before coaching the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23. 'I don't think it matters if you're a quarterback, offensive lineman, running back or defensive back. It's about your ability to reach certain players,' Vrabel said. 'Again, we don't want to have any gaps. Hopefully, you know what to do, you're prepared, you do things the right way, you're a good listener. 'I think you can adapt to what happens and adapt to the people you're talking to maybe based on what they need. Sometimes people need a little different encouraging, and sometimes you need a little bit of a firmer hand and maybe a little bit of a firmer stance. I think that's all important of understanding and getting to know each person before you can start to lead them.' Vrabel was asked whether Maye has been able to push his teammates without pushing their buttons or worrying about how his leadership style might affect his popularity. 'I think that's evolving and that's a work in progress,' he said. 'I think we're all learning each other a little bit. I think we're all learning the system and learning the plays, and once we master it, I think that's going to start to separate itself.' Maye made the Pro Bowl and went 3-9 as a starter last year after being drafted No. 3 overall. He passed for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Maye said he understands the expectations Vrabel and the other coaches have for him in Year 2. 'It's an opportunity for me to take a jump,' he said. 'I think from last year being a rookie, trying to come in here and earn my stripes, earn my keep through hard work. I think this year is the same approach. You got new guys in here, new staff, got to keep on getting to know everybody, show my work ethic. From there, as the season comes around, try to take the next step in leadership and leading the offense and hopefully leading this football team.' As far as finding his voice and perhaps getting after players who may not be pulling their weight, Maye said it won't be a problem. 'Growing up with three older brothers and (being) around older people my whole life, I've kind of been comfortable, once I got acclimated, which I feel like I definitely am now, to kind of step into that zone,' he said. 'Hey, especially offensively, if somebody's not doing their job -- and it starts with me, I've got to do mine first -- but if somebody's not doing their job and repeating mistakes, I think there's got to be a consequence. I think at some point it hurts the football team, and I think it hurts everybody in that building.' Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Vikings Trade Idea Sees J.J. McCarthy Joined by Titans' Will Levis
Vikings Trade Idea Sees J.J. McCarthy Joined by Titans' Will Levis originally appeared on Athlon Sports. This season, the Minnesota Vikings venture into the quarterback unknown. According to data gathered from The Football Database, the average number of career starts rostered per team for the upcoming season is 120 -- bolstered by either a proven starter or a veteran backup supporting a rookie-scale QB on each team. Advertisement The Vikings have neither. With just 22 career starts between all four of their quarterbacks, the Vikings have the second-fewest quarterback starts in the NFL, ahead of only the New Orleans Saints. It's J.J. McCarthy or bust for Minnesota this year after the Vikings watched Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Nick Mullens depart in free agency. They declined to sign a veteran quarterback in free agency, instead opting to trade for Sam Howell, whose 5-13 record as a starter is far from encouraging. That has led to some outside consultation suggesting that Minnesota should be in the market to improve the quarterback room before the start of the season. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images One trade idea floated by Anne Erickson considered the possibility of the Vikings landing 2023 second-round pick Will Levis. Advertisement While Levis has his blemishes, he has more physical talent than Howell, Brett Rypien or rookie Max Brosmer, prompting Erickson to suggest a Day 2 or Day 3 pick could be enough to pry Levis away from the Tennessee Titans. "The Tennessee Titans made a big move and drafted quarterback Cam Ward No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL draft, which says a lot," Erickson wrote. "Will Levis isn't happy about it. So, the Tennessee Titans could trade Levis for a late Day 2 or early Day 3 draft selection." While landing Levis for that price could be a stretch, the Titans may be ready to rid themselves of Levis after they fired the man who drafted him, former general manager Ran Carthon. Considering the three first-round picks the San Francisco 49ers invested to get Trey Lance, only to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-rounder, it isn't preposterous to consider the Titans offloading Levis for a similar recoup of draft stock. Advertisement Levis is 5-16 as a starter for a struggling Titans organization and could merely need some quarterback rehab from Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. While the same argument can be made for Howell, Levis has better physical tools that could offer more upside behind McCarthy. Howell could even be considered for a quarterback swap if both teams deem their prospects need a change of scenery. Related: Budding Vikings Star Issues Official Goodbye After Injury Related: Vikings' $21 Million Starter Eyeing Exit After Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
18 hours ago
- Fox Sports
How to measure success for Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, other rookie QBs in 2025
Collectively, the latest crop of quarterbacks entering the NFL has drawn little enthusiasm. But that ultimately doesn't matter. Settling into their NFL homes, the QBs have an opportunity to write their own story in the league. All the rookie quarterbacks are starting from square one, though with differing expectations. Here is how a successful 2025 should be measured for each of the first eight quarterbacks taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cam Ward Team: Tennessee Titans Round 1, No. 1 overall 2025 goal: start 17 games (flashing star potential) As the top overall selection, Ward is expected to be a franchise-altering quarterback for the Titans. But it could take a few years for him to reach that level, even if he's a "hit." What Jayden Daniels (2024) and C.J. Stroud (2023) did the past two seasons are outliers. If Ward can show an ability to elevate in spurts what appears to be an average supporting cast, display composure in critical moments and limit turnovers, that should be viewed as a win for the Titans. And that should be the case even if Tennessee's record does not reflect a substantial improvement from the team's 3-14 finish in 2024. Jaxson Dart Team: New York Giants Round 1, No. 25 overall 2025 goal: learn by watching; ready to take QB1 reigns in 2026 If all goes according to schedule, Dart won't play meaningful snaps in 2025. Russell Wilson is the starting quarterback for the Giants, who also have Jameis Winston as a capable veteran backup. The best case scenario is that Dart takes in everything he can from them in a "redshirt" year so he's ready to start Day 1 in 2026 — while still being ready to play in 2025 if New York's quarterback plan falls apart. Tyler Shough Team: New Orleans Saints Round 2, No. 40 overall 2025 goal: hold on to starting job In the wake of Derek Carr's retirement, the Saints are saying that they have a quarterback competition between Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. They're splitting first-team reps. But the reality is that Shough should win the job, given the draft investment in him as a second-round pick. So it's paramount that he doesn't give them a reason to think twice about his readiness. Decision-making and ball security will be key for the former Louisville quarterback, like with all rookie passers. Jalen Milroe Team: Seattle Seahawks Round 3, No. 92 overall 2025 goal: win QB2 job; flash promise in specialty role With Sam Darnold being the unquestioned starter in Seattle, Milroe's first goal should be earning the top backup role over Drew Lock, who returned to the Seahawks this offseason on a two-year, $5 million deal. The team has talked about the possibility of playing Milroe a few snaps per game in packages that utilize his rushing ability. If he can bring value there and make steady progress as a passer, the former Alabama standout could be in the mix to start in 2026. Dillon Gabriel Team: Cleveland Browns Round 3, No. 94 overall 2025 goal: become a regular on the gameday roster In Cleveland's crowded quarterback room, which includes 40-year-old Joe Flacco and journeyman Kenny Pickett, Gabriel may have the most roster security as a third-round rookie. But as a Day 2 quarterback, he'll need to show poise and comfort in Kevin Stefanski's system. Even if he's not QB1, Gabriel could get an extensive look if the offense struggles, keeping him in the Browns' quarterback plans moving forward. Shedeur Sanders Team: Cleveland Browns Round 5, No. 144 overall 2025 goal: become a regular on the gameday roster A projected top pick early in the pre-draft process, Sanders' status as a Day 3 pick puts him at the bottom of the Browns' quarterback pecking order to start his career. But he's firmly in the QB1 competition and should stay on the 53-man roster as an early-round talent. Like Gabriel, Sanders earning his way into a regular role on the game-day roster — even as a backup — would cement his place in Cleveland for 2026. Kyle McCord Team: Philadelphia Eagles Round 6, No. 181 overall 2025 goal: win QB2 role While he certainly won't supplant Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts as the starter, McCord has an opportunity to fill the top backup quarterback role vacated by Pickett, who was traded to the Browns earlier in the offseason. The FBS leader in completions per game and passing yards in 2024, McCord has competition in Tanner McKee and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who've started a combined six NFL games. Will Howard Team: Pittsburgh Steelers Round 6, No. 185 overall 2025 goal: win QB2 job Now that Aaron Rodgers has signed with Pittsburgh, Howard will compete with Mason Rudolph for the primary backup role. A national champion at Ohio State last season, Howard will have to impress Pittsburgh's coaches to beat out Rudolph, who started 13 games for the Steelers between 2019-23 before playing for Tennessee last season. But there's a scenario in which Howard gets meaningful snaps as a rookie, based on Rodgers' age and Rudolph's low-end potential. Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
