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Report expands on how Cam Ward was 'everything the Titans hoped for' during spring workouts
For an article published on Monday, The Athletic's Joe Rexrode mentioned that Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward was "everything the Titans hoped for" throughout the spring and developed a reputation for "gathering teammates for early-morning sessions."
On Tuesday, ESPN's Turron Davenport suggested that Ward is already viewed by his teammates as Tennessee's QB1 even though head coach Brian Callahan hasn't yet declared a winner of the competition between Ward and 2023 second-round draft pick Will Levis.
"Ward has already emerged as a leader," Davenport said. "He had a group of rookie pass catchers coming to the building at 5 a.m. for film study and never hesitated to tell a veteran receiver how he wants a route to be run. Ward also showed he's able to remain unfazed by mistakes. Ward threw an interception on Day 2 of minicamp before bouncing back by completing 18 consecutive passes. While interceptions should never be minimized, coach Brian Callahan loved his quarterback's resiliency."
Barring an injury, Levis seems to have no real chance of leapfrogging Ward on the depth chart ahead of Tennessee's Week 1 game at the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7. Callahan benched Levis due to poor play this past December. Pro Football Reference shows that the 25-year-old ended the 2024 regular season ranked last among qualified passers in the NFL with a 27.8 adjusted QBR.
Earlier in the offseason, Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker and general manager Mike Borgonzi hinted they would leave the door open for Levis to make the QB battle interesting by producing stellar performances during spring workouts. Instead, it sounds like Ward was the undisputed star of those sessions among Tennessee quarterbacks.
"Ward took most of the reps in team period and 7-on-7," Davenport added. "He turned in a solid performance against a variety of blitzes. On one rep, Ward made a check that resulted in a bomb to (wide receiver) Calvin Ridley for a touchdown."
Perhaps Callahan wants to see Ward in action during Tennessee's preseason opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 9 before the Titans confirm expected news regarding their quarterback situation. Unless Ward looks completely overwhelmed at Raymond James Stadium, he could end the second Monday of August as his team's full-time starting signal-caller.
More must-reads:
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin Sees A Ton Of Promise In Potential High-Impact Rookie
The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2025 season with a new-look roster on the offensive side of the ball. The quarterback position has turned over once again, and DK Metcalf is now the top wide receiver in Pittsburgh after the organization decided to acquire him and then trade away George Pickens. Jonnu Smith has also entered the picture on offense, while Jaylen Warren will be taking over the duties as the lead running back. This is his first time taking on that role, as Najee Harris was the bell cow in Pittsburgh for the last four seasons and he never missed a game. Warren will be the main focus at running back, but the Steelers did a good job of filling out that room as a whole. Signing Kenneth Gainwell in free agency was a good way to bring a veteran presence into the room, and adding Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft was an exciting pick with a ton of value. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the rookie running back following practice on Thursday, and he had nothing but good things to say about Johnson. "He does, he's highly conditioned and that helps development," Tomlin said. "When you're in really good shape, you can take additional reps and reps equals [getting] better. And so he handled the first leg of it. He's come in really good shape. He's really engaged and obviously he's got some talent. You guys saw that today." Tomlin said this when asked whether or not Johnson has a high floor as a rookie running back in the NFL, and the coach was clearly impressed with the way the rookie was prepared coming into camp. He also seems to know the playbook pretty well. It is hard to tell much from the early training camp practices, but he certainly stood out. The staff in Pittsburgh clearly has high hopes for Johnson, which could lead to more playing time early on. Johnson will begin the season behind Warren, but the two are expected to share the workload in some regard. The rookie has a high ceiling, and Pittsburgh is going to want to take advantage of the entirety of his cheaper, rookie deal. Many have speculated that Johnson will be the lead back by the time the 2025 season is over, with Warren returning to the role of being a third down back, similar to what he did when Harris was on the team. When Pittsburgh initially selected Johnson in the spring, some hated on the pick due to his slower 40-yard dash time. However, the back looks extremely fast on the field, and fans should get a better idea of the kind of player he can be when the Steelers put on the pads next week. Steelers’ Running Back Situation Will Be Interesting To Monitor Gainwell will likely be the third running back on the depth chart during the 2025 season, but he should have some packages and plays where he is the primary focus. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands, especially in the passing game. He and Warren have a similar skill set, while Johnson stands out in the trio. In addition to those three backs, Pittsburgh also has Cordarrelle Patterson on the roster. It was thought that he would be released by this point, but he remains in Pittsburgh for now. He could be cut at the end of camp, as it seems he is the clear fourth running back on the depth chart and he was one of the worst kick returners in the league during the 2024 season. It is known that Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith likes him and his versatility on offense. It’s his ability to play special teams as well that could keep him on the roster in 2025. What do you expect from Johnson in his rookie year?
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
NFLPA reportedly under federal investigation
The ongoing saga with the NFL Players Association has taken another turn, as the organization is also reportedly the subject of a federal investigation. ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler reported on Friday that there is an ongoing criminal investigation involving the NFLPA regarding potential misuse of funds and self-enrichment of union officials. A senior union attorney sent a memo to NFLPA officials this week informing them of the federal probe. The document states that the NFLPA is "now on notice of financial actions that may be criminal" and that the union faces "immediate threats requiring prompt actions," according to ESPN. While the document did not specify which individuals are part of the criminal investigation, the notice was sent days after executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. and director of strategy J.C. Tretter resigned from their positions with the NFLPA. Howell was accused of misusing union funds and faced other troubling allegations. Tretter resigned because he felt like he was left to take the heat for the scandal that has been unfolding, though he has denied any wrongdoing. The NFLPA is searching for an interim executive director. ESPN reports that the memo sent to union officials this week warns that potentially hiring an outside executive director might not be a wise move without knowing exactly how deep "the problems may be." Howell was the executive director of the NFLPA for two years.
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie had three words for Angel Reese
Now in her second WNBA season, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is averaging a league‑leading 12.5 rebounds along with 13.8 points, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. She recently returned from injury and immediately picked up where she left off, posting her 16th double‑double of the season (11 points, 11 rebounds) on Tuesday night even as her Chicago Sky fell, 91-68, to the Minnesota Lynx. Then, on Wednesday, Reese showcased her brand power on Instagram, posting a pregame photo dressed head‑to‑toe in Gucci with the caption, "Don’t worry about me… life is GUCCI @gucci #guccipartner." The image quickly lit up her feed and drew an immediate response from one of the game’s all‑time greats, WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, who commented, “Yessss it is❤️." Despite flashes of elite play, the Sky have struggled mightily, standing at just 7-17 and sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference. Their 76.7 points per game rank 12th in the WNBA, and opponents are torching them for 86.8 a night (12th in the league). With head coach Tyler Marsh searching for consistency, every bright spot has been a welcome reprieve for a franchise that won the title as recently as 2021. Front and center among Chicago’s bright spots is Reese. Off the court, Reese has quickly built a burgeoning portfolio of endorsement deals, including Reebok, Calvin Klein, Beats by Dre, Amazon and now Gucci, underscoring her status as one of the WNBA’s brightest personalities. On the other side, you have Leslie, whose voice carries more weight than arguably anybody in women’s basketball. A three‑time league MVP, two‑time WNBA champion and Finals MVP and eight‑time All‑Star, Leslie helped define the league’s early years with the Los Angeles Sparks, including driving home the first dunk in WNBA history in 2002. A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer (class of 2015), she remains a global ambassador for the sport.
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