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Jeffery Simmons Addresses Cam Ward Trash Talk at Minicamp

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi Dombro | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 5:06 PM ET

The Tennessee Titans selected Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He will be joining a Titans team that won just three games last season and scored only 18.3 points per game ( via Pro Football Reference).

Fortunately, Tennessee is not completely devoid of talent of either side of the ball. Calvin Ridley, Chig Okonkwo, Tyler Lockett and a trio of fourth-round rookies will round out the pass-catching corps for the Titans.

On defense, the team is anchored by two-time All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. After missing the entirety of Titans' OTAs, Simmons returned to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and reportedly talked a lot of smack to Ward.

This was friendly banter between two of the team's leaders, and it was used as a tool to make practice feel more competitive. Simmons addressed the trash talk when speaking with ESPN's Turron Davenport on Tuesday.

"I'm gonna be talking smack to him too, so, it's fun," Simmons said. "We talked, going back and forth, talking smack with each other. He was able to get back into the huddle, still throw the ball down the middle of the field. That was the most impressive thing, not him talking smack to me."

Simmons was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster last season after a 5.0-sack, 76 tackle campaign that included 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Ward had a stellar senior season for the Hurricanes, throwing for 4,313 yards and a nation-leading 39 touchdowns. He is expected to supplant Will Levis as the team's starting quarterback in Week 1.

Tennessee will open up its season in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, who won 10 games and made the playoffs last season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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