Rival Scout: Titans Have a Winner in Cam Ward

After the Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, most observers expected the former Miami quarterback would quickly become the Titans’ new No. 1. Now that the team has announced that incumbent starter Will Levis will miss the season due to shoulder surgery, Ward’s coronation is all but complete.

The Titans finished 3-14 last season, Brian Callahan’s first year replacing Mike Vrabel as head coach. Tennessee is not expected to be a serious playoff contender, but one rival scout does believe the Titans are headed in the right direction with their new field general.

“From zero-star recruit to top overall pick, Cam Ward finally gives the Titans a real franchise quarterback,” the scout told Athlon Sports. “He’s got a rocket arm, improvisational skills and leadership qualities. He gives the Titans a real shot to be competitive.”

Those comments were made as part of the exclusive Titans scouting report in the Athlon Sports 2025 NFL Preview magazine, available online and at newsstands now.

In addition to his improvisational skills, Ward is actually quite dangerous in the pocket, something he proved with the Hurricanes last season. Keeping Ward clean in the pocket will be a priority, and the rival scout praised the Titans in those efforts.

“Where I see real progress from Tennessee is its offensive line,” he said. “They got it right with Peter Skoronski and JC Latham. Then, they plug in a proven vet with Kevin Zeitler.” The scout added that free-agent acquisition Dan Moore Jr. can be a solid left tackle — even if the team may have overpaid for him.

The scout had good things to say about new Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi, who took over this season after 16 years with the Kansas City Chiefs. Borgonzi started with the Chiefs as a college scout in 2009 and worked his way up through the years to be Kansas City’s assistant GM.

“Mike Borgonzi has been ready to be a general manager for a long time,” the scout said. “He got excellent training in Kansas City with Brett Veach and Andy Reid. Between him and Brian Callahan, I see this as an improving franchise as far as how they’re being run. Ran Carthon wasn’t a good GM and wasn’t ready for the assignment and clashed with former head coach Mike Vrabel. The synergy they have now is a big upgrade, and that’s what [owner] Amy Adams Strunk wanted to see.”