May 10, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws during drills during Rookie Mini Camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

'I’m Taking That Personally': Cam Ward Getting No Prime Time Games Is Very Personal For Michael Irvin

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Ernest Leo Hernandez | Last updated May 19, 2025 11:14 AM ET

NFL rookie and overall first pick for the 2025 Draft, Cam Ward, got a defender from former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, who criticized the NFL 2025 season schedule for not giving Ward’s team a single primetime game.

In a recent video , Michael Irvin blasted the NFL schedule for the 2025 season for not giving the Tennessee Titans, the franchise that drafted Cam Ward, any primetime slot, despite their rookie supposedly having the biggest value as the first pick.

“Well, first of all, I’m really disappointed in the NFL to give the Tennessee Titans no prime time games when they have the number one pick in the National Football League,” Irvin said. “I don’t think they’ve done that too often throughout history, not giving him one of the 17 weeks to showcase in primetime the number one pick.”

“I’m taking that personally because in that primetime game, the game that he has all by himself, a standalone game, we would be talking about you.”

Miami Hurricanes HC Compares Cam Ward to Carson Beck

In a recent podcast appearance, Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal compared his current quarterback, Carson Beck, to his former quarterback, Cam Ward, who is now set to carve his own path in the NFL under the Tennessee Titans.

“He is different than Cam personality-wise, but not from a drive and determination side,” Cristobal said as he appeared on Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “I think that really hit us strong in that very short process with Carson. His knowledge of the game speaks very loudly of a guy who’s been prepping his entire life. I also think we brought in a person who has a lot to prove, but more in the sense of winning. More in the sense of team than anything else.”

Carson Beck previously played for Georgia, where he won two national championships as a backup in 2021 and 2022. Beck became Georgia’s starter in 2023, throwing for 7,426 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions over two seasons. He led Georgia to a 24-3 record but missed the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff due to injury.

May 10, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) walks of the field after finish first day of rookie mini camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Now, he hopes to lead Miami to its first championship since 2001.

In his final season with Miami in 2024, Cam Ward put up impressive numbers, solidifying his status as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. He played 13 games, completing 305 of 454 passes for a 67.2% completion rate. Ward threw for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, while only recording 7 interceptions.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: