When the 2025 pre-draft process began, there was a lack of excitement surrounding the quarterback class and perceptions that it was a bad year to have a top pick. However, as the process rolled on and more and more people properly got into Cam Ward’s tape, another realization dawned. Cam Ward is a really good quarterback and one that is very much worthy of being a coveted first-overall selection.
He has brilliant arm talent, is a dynamic playmaker both in and outside the structure and has enough athleticism to make defenses pay with his legs. The bottom line is he has all the traits you want to see from a top quarterback. So, what does success look like for him as a rookie, and how can the Titans coaching staff set him up for success? Let’s dig into it.
Building Around Cam Ward
Over recent years, there have been countless case studies of right and wrong ways to set up a quarterback. In 2024 alone, we saw a whole range of approaches. First, you have the widely regarded generational prospect Caleb Williams faltering early, thanks to poor roster construction and an apparent lack of coaching and mentorship. His star-studded wide receiver corps looked like a golden opportunity for Williams. Still, negligence along the offensive line meant that the Bears coaching staff didn’t put Williams in a situation to utilize the likes of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze.
New Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi, desperate to avoid a situation like that for Ward, paid up $82 million to get former Pittsburgh Steeler left tackle Dan Moore into the building. His arrival allows 2024 rookie tackle JC Latham to switch back to his preferred right side of the line.
While Moore’s price tag certainly raised some eyebrows, his 92.5% pass block win rate was just outside the top 10 in the NFL, meaning he should help significantly upgrade a poor Titans unit. With Latham now happier on the right and top offensive line coach Bill Callahan coordinating the effort, Cam Ward should have a far better offensive line to operate behind as a rookie than Caleb Williams.
On the pass-catching front, Calvin Ridley is a very capable number one receiver, and the arrival of Tyler Lockett gives Ward a reliable option on short and intermediate routes. Then, the arrival of rookies Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, Xavier Restrepo, and tight end Gunnar Helm gives him some exciting young studs to grow with. If you want to learn more about the receivers heading into 2025, read our breakdown of the group here (insert a link to another article we wrote about the WRs).
Schematic Approach: Don’t Overburden the Young Quarterback
Another useful case study from the 2024 season took place in the nation’s capital from the perspective of nurturing rookie quarterbacks. Jayden Daniels stormed to the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and the NFC Championship game with one of the best rookie seasons we have ever seen. His offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, left the league with his tail between his legs after his failed head coaching stint in Arizona, but he played a blinder as an OC with Jayden.
The Commanders kept things simple for Daniels early in the season. He had an average depth of target of just 5.5 and 5 yards in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, before doubling that to 9.7 in his breakout game against Cincinnati in Week 3. From there, there was no looking back. Daniels was a stud the whole way.
Tennessee should take a lot from how Washington managed their rookie quarterback. Cam Ward is an explosive playmaker with a live arm and a willingness to take risks. Therefore, it is important that they keep things simple for him early, allow him to learn the basics, and get comfortable in the offense before opening up the playbook and unleashing him properly. The worst-case scenario would be Ward trying to play too much hero ball early in the season as he tries to adjust to the game’s pace, all while his rookie wide receivers are unlikely to be ready to help him make plays.
Taking it slow, reigning him (within reason), and building him up as the season progresses is a recipe for success, as was proven in Washington.
We only have to look at Caleb Williams again for the downside case. He was given a lot of responsibility early and lacked clarity from the coaching staff, resulting in him losing confidence and taking too many sacks. That is a recipe for ruining your shiny new quarterback, which Tennessee cannot afford to do.
More: Tyjae Spears Projected to Have Breakout Season in 2025
Milestones to Look Out For
Another case of coaching making a difference could be seen in Denver. Bo Nix looked horrendous in his first two weeks as the Broncos’ starting quarterback, completely out of his depth and unable to complete passes beyond the sticks. He threw zero touchdowns and four interceptions across his first two games. However, when Sean Payton made things simpler for Bo, introduced more screens and short passes, and moved his launch point a bit more, the results were completely different, setting up Nix to challenge Daniels for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
This is also a useful reminder for Titans fans not to panic if the early showings are not what they hoped from Cam Ward. There are exciting talents in the pass-catching group, but they undeniably need some time to develop. The same could be said for the gelling of the new-look offensive line. This means expectations early should be tempered slightly, especially as Ward’s opening game is against Denver of all teams, likely the league’s most vicious defense.
Like Jayden Daniels, Week 3 makes sense as a time to start seeing signs of improvement. Despite some useful additions, Indianapolis is not expected to be too intimidating as a pass defense. The Bye Week in Week 10 will allow Ward to catch his breath and take on more tailored coaching and mentorship. However, this is likely a tad later than fans would hope. This will set him up for a strong home stretch, with tough games against Houston and Seattle in Weeks 11 and 12, before facing the defensive genius Steve Spagnuolo and his Chiefs unit in Week 16.
What Does Success Look Like?
Success for the Titans in 2025 should not be judged solely on wins. The team wants to win as many games as possible, and head coach Brian Callahan certainly needs them, but Cam Ward’s long-term development is more important. Anything around the 3,800-yard mark and 20+ touchdowns should be considered a massive success for Ward as a rookie, not far off what Nix achieved in Denver within a more talented offense.
Nix had 12 interceptions, and there is every chance Ward will throw more, given his willingness to take risks and sling the rock downfield. That’s also not a problem. Hopefully, the coaching staff will help Ward understand when and what risks to take and limit his interception tally, but you also don’t want to inhibit the traits that make him special. Fans shouldn’t overreact to turnovers, so long as there are consistencies everywhere else in Ward’s game and he can overcome them.
That kind of playstyle may terrify Titans fans, given what they have just been through with Will Levis, but there is no doubt that Ward is a more polished prospect. He has a fantastic mentality and has had an incredible impact on every team he has played for. Turnovers are somewhat inevitable, but it’s all about how you respond to them and how the coaches help you bounce back, and everything suggests Cam Ward has the mental makeup to do just that.
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