Insider expands on how rookie Cam Ward is already a leader for Titans

A report from June detailed how veteran Tennessee Titans players were already "excited about the leadership qualities" that rookie quarterback Cam Ward put on display during springtime workouts. 

For a piece published on Monday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler expanded on how Ward has seemingly embraced his role as the CEO of the team's offense during training camp. 

"Ward is already a team leader, drawing several rookies to arrive between 4:30 and 5 each morning to get ready for the day," Fowler said. "And on a recent off day, Ward unexpectedly popped into [Titans head coach Brian Callahan] at 4 p.m. to go over the next day's scripts. Ward needed to be able to explain the offense the next day, so he wanted to be prepared."

While the Titans made Ward the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft back in April, Callahan wanted the first-year pro to "earn" the starting job via a competition that was meant to involve 2023 second-round draft pick Will Levis through at least Tennessee's preseason opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 9. However, Ward is now the Titans' undisputed QB1 for their Week 1 matchup at the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7 after Levis needed season-ending shoulder surgery. 

Ward seems to be motivated by the fact that he isn't receiving the type of attention from national media personalities often given to quarterbacks drafted with first overall picks. Meanwhile, shows on networks such as ESPN dedicate daily segments to discussions about whether or not the Cleveland Browns should start rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the 144th overall selection from this year's draft. 

"During my two days visiting Tennessee, Ward performed exactly how you'd expect a talented but green rookie to perform," Fowler explained. "The first day, he showed deft creativity throwing on the move and threw a beautiful deep ball to (wide receiver) Calvin Ridley, who dropped it. On the second day, the entire offense struggled, and he did not respond well to exotic third-down blitz packages. This is part of the maturation."

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Ward second among the betting favorites at +350 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the 2025 season. To compare, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was at +275 odds at that time. 

Ward will hope that some extra prep work throughout August will have him ready to silence doubters when he faces the Broncos in Denver on the first Sunday of September.