Top NFL draft pick Cam Ward gives savage response to teammate's season-ending injury
Ward's selection by the Titans was hardly a surprise, considering they struggled massively in 2024 under the poor play of Will Levis. When they drafted Ward, the Miami star got permission from Hall-of-Famer Warren Moon to don his No. 1 jersey that the team had 'retired'.
But now, Ward will take the starting job uncontested (as opposed to 'virtually' uncontested) after Levis was confirmed to miss the rest of the season earlier this week.
The Titans announced on Monday that Levis had underwent shoulder surgery and wouldn't be active for the 2025 season.
When asked about how he took the news of his teammate's injury, Ward gave a somewhat ruthless response.
'I didn't really have a reaction. I focus on Cam Ward,' the rookie told reporters.
Veteran backup Brandon Allen is set to take the QB2 spot while another career benchwarmer, Tim Boyle, is projected to slide up to QB3.
After initially beginning the 2023 season on the bench, Levis replaced Ryan Tannehill for eight games in the middle of the campaign.
Last year, Levis became the full-time starter for Tennessee, but did not put up the most impressive numbers.
He finished with 2,091 yards - good for only 27th in the league. Levis even finished behind Jameis Winston, who only became the starter for the Cleveland Browns after Deshaun Watson went down with a season-ending injury.
Additionally, Levis finished the season with a QBR of 27.8 - good for 32nd in the NFL. He also put up a rough TD-INT ratio of 13 to 12.
Levis missed five games in the 2025 season. First, he missed three games after injuring his AC joint in Week 3. Then, his poor performances led to him being benched for two weeks toward the end of the season.
Now, Ward is set to get the start after a stellar season with the Miami Hurricanes in 2024.
He is the first quarterback that the Titans have taken in the first round since they selected Marcus Mariota second overall in 2015. Ward is also the first first-overall pick that the franchise has had since the then-Houston Oilers took running back Earl Campbell in 1978.
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