NFL insider shares update on Cam Ward’s chances to start as rookie for Titans

Cam Ward is exactly what the Tennessee Titans envisioned so far through OTAs and minicamps. The former Miami Hurricanes QB and No. 1 overall pick looks like a star in the making already.

At this point, it’s a matter of when he’ll start for Tennessee. Ward is in competition with former second rounders Will Levis, Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.

Safe to say, Ward has the most upside of the bunch and the Titans are ready to put their investment front and center by the time September rolls around. If his work ethic is any indication, Ward has already won the job!

“The work ethic has really shown up,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter. “They knew pre-draft that he was all about that work, and he’s shown it in the offices with the coaches. He’s in there constantly, to the point where I was told they kind of had to kick him out of time. Like, look, man, we’re good. We’ve done for the day. We’re locked in. You’re ready to go. 

“So they’re going to ease him into a starting role eventually. So right now, they’re still sort of splitting reps, but they’re going to give him more and more as the weeks ago, especially leading into training camp, he will be the starter at some point.”

During his final season, Ward looked like one of, if not the best player in all of college football. He threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 67.2% completion percentage.

Being a No. 1 overall pick comes with a big time investment. Ward recently signed his four-year, $48.75 million rookie deal.

All told, it’s easy to see how Ward has taken to the next level like a fish to water. He emerged as the consensus top overall pick in the draft after a stellar season with the Hurricanes, previously playing at both Washington State and Incarnate Word, as well.

Moreover, during his prior stops along his college football journey before playing for Mario Cristobal in Coral Gables, Ward threw for nearly 7,000 yards and scored 61 touchdowns during his first two seasons with Incarnate Word at the FCS level. He would then become a more popular name in the sport, transferring to Washington State ahead of the 2022 college football season.

He’d ultimately spent two seasons with the Cougars. During his last season at Washington State, Ward completed 66.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,735 yards, with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions.