Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward was set up to fail in his rookie season. With a barren wide receiver corps and a head coach on his way out, it would have been miraculous for the 2025 first overall pick to live up to expectations. But a second-year breakout could be looming.
NFL analyst Jahleel Addae sees a path for the young quarterback. He even compared Ward to Caleb Williams on a recent episode of "Good Morning Football," saying, "We know what he can do. He has a little bit of Caleb Williams-ish to him. He's an off-schedule type quarterback. He can make the crazy throws."
Addae went on to project how playing on-schedule a bit more and taking command of the offense under Brian Daboll can lead to a breakout season from Ward. If the former first-overall pick follows in Williams' footsteps, Titans fans won't complain.
Cam Ward can follow Caleb Williams to breakout success
There are some clear similarities between the two young quarterbacks. Both No.1 picks, they both make off-platform throws that few players can make. Unfortunately, they both have their accuracy issues. Ward and Williams both ranked in the bottom five of all qualifying NFL QBs last year in both completion percentage and on-target percentage.
In his first year under Ben Johnson, Williams reminded the rest of the league why he was the best prospect in his draft class, leading the Bears to a playoff victory and spearheading a top-ten offense. He's now considered a borderline-top-ten quarterback and is expected to make another leap in his third season.
Nobody's calling Brian Daboll Ben Johnson, but the Titans' new offensive coordinator could give a similar lift to Ward. Daboll's offensive scheme sets his quarterbacks up for easy wins, with plenty of RPO and quick-game looks mixed in.
Like Williams was last year, Ward was also surrounded by improved talent over the offseason. Rookie wideout Carnell Tate should instantly be the best receiver Ward has ever played with. He'll give the young quarterback a reliable target. Wan'Dale Robinson shouldn't be ignored, either. As Jaxson Dart's top target with the New York Giants last season, he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards.
Winning a playoff game may be too lofty a goal for the 2026 Titans. Still, Williams and the Bears showed Tennessee a blueprint of how to win with a dynamic quarterback last season. Don't be surprised if Ward follows a similar trajectory.
Add us as a preferred source on Google