2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward showcases potential with absurd TD pass

It certainly was a lot of work for a nine-yard TD. According to Next Gen Stats, the horizontal distance between Ward and Ayomanor was 30.4 yards, the longest such figure on a TD pass on the run since the database was established in 2016. 

The QB scrambling all over the place may have given Titans head coach Brian Callahan an ulcer. However, it also shows why he and the organization should feel excited about the 23-year-old QB. 

Cam Ward's TD pass shows why he was No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft

Throughout the predraft process, one of the knocks on Ward was his tendency to hold the ball too long, which can result in sacks. Per Pro Football Focus, in 2024, his average time to throw was 2.92 seconds, tied for 244th in the FBS (min. 131 dropbacks). The QB, though, noted he's scrambling on many of these plays, which gives his WRs time to get open.

"At the end of the day, if you have time in the pocket, why would [I] not hold the ball and let [my] receivers get open?" Ward said before the draft in April, via ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "If you ever make plays out of structure, of course, you're going to hold the ball and try to make a play and get your receivers open." 

Ward's TD toss proves he clearly excels at making plays out of structure. If he can combine that with a quicker release, that should give the Titans plenty of hope, which they need after going 3-14 last season.