Cam Ward might be the No. 1 pick, but some believe he’s not being treated like it
Cam Ward entered the NFL out of Miami as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft — a title that typically comes with endless headlines, viral highlights, and constant analysis. But Ward’s transition to the pros has flown largely under the radar, and Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is starting to take it personally.
“I've never seen the No. 1 pick overall never get the respect and, quite frankly, the attention that he deserves,” Simmons said on Good Morning Football. “He's legit.”
It’s not just Simmons who believes in the Hurricanes legend. Titans team reporter Jim Wyatt has charted the quarterback’s every throw during offseason practices and came away impressed with both his talent and demeanor.
“I think the starting job will be his as long as he continues to make progress in training camp, joint practices, and preseason games,” Wyatt wrote. “Ward was impressive during offseason work, from his play to his maturity to his leadership. I charted every one of Ward's throws during the five open practices and he went 65-of-96 (67.7%) in the 7-on-7 and team drills combined. Was he perfect? No – he threw three interceptions. At this point, Ward remains a work in progress. But Ward's maturation process will be fun to watch as he looks to secure the starting job.”
Despite the positive reports, Ward’s relatively low national profile might have less to do with his play and more to do with the team that drafted him. As Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox noted, the Titans aren’t exactly a media magnet.
“Ward quickly became the common-sense choice for the QB-needy Titans at No. 1,” Knox wrote. “Once that became obvious, he stopped being a headline-grabbing prospect. And he largely faded into the offseason background after the draft because the Titans, with all due respect, are not a high-profile NFL franchise or one with a recent track record of success.”
Former Miami Hurricanes star Antrel Rolle echoed the belief in Ward’s long-term outlook, saying the rookie signal-caller has the right mindset and makeup to succeed.
“I think he’s going to light it up,” Rolle said, according to Gambling Industry News' Kyle Odegard. “Will it be Year 1? That’s hard. But I think he is going to have a very successful NFL career. He’s such a humble and down-to-earth kid, and football is what he wants to do.”
As training camp heats up, the buzz around Ward may finally begin to catch up. But until then, Simmons and others will keep beating the drum: Tennessee’s quarterback may be overlooked, but he’s not to be underestimated.
Category: General Sports
