Cam Ward speaks out on 'rivalry' with Shedeur Sanders

Before the 2025 NFL Draft, rookie quarterbacks Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans and Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns were cast as rivals. 

Social media clips furthered that storyline. In a YouTube video posted by Well Off Media in February, Ward and Sanders were captured trading jabs during a workout. 

Apparently, that was just banter. 

On a Tuesday episode of "Bussin' With The Boys," Ward said Sanders is his "boy." He added that he thought they would be the first two QBs selected in the draft.

"At the end of the day, this whole process, we thought [we] were going to be one and two the whole time," Ward said. "I thought he was one of the better QBs in the draft. ... He's been productive where he's been every time." 

Sanders completed 74% of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdown passes in 13 games during his final season with the Colorado Buffaloes. He slid to pick No. 144 in the draft, though, because of reported concerns about his upside and fame. He is the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. 

Shedeur Sanders is now buried on the Browns' depth chart behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco. 

The beginning of Ward's career, meanwhile, has gone much more smoothly. The Titans took him first overall after he completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards and 39 TD passes in 13 games for the Miami Hurricanes in 2024. 

Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan has liked some of the things he's seen from Ward so far and has listed him as QB1 on the team's depth chart.  

While Shedeur Sanders' career is off to a slower start, Ward believes he will receive an opportunity to become a starter.

"When he gets his chance to become a starter, he's going to make the most of it," Ward said.

The Browns host the Titans on Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox. A matchup between friends would make the game more intriguing, but unless Shedeur Sanders is moved into the starting lineup, fans may have to wait for that.