The Tennessee Titans are entering the Cam Ward era, and that means that things are about to get significantly more exciting at quarterback.
Ward is a self-proclaimed gunslinger at the quarterback position, and he is going to create explosive plays by extending the pocket. Sometimes, those efforts result in a turnover or negative play. That is going to be jarring for Titans fans who are used to seeing their quarterbacks be complementary pieces on offense.
Titans fans haven't seen a gunslinger in so long that they probably don't remember what it looks like. The reality is, no one should be surprised if Ward has more touchdowns and interceptions than any Titans/Oilers rookie QB in the last 50-plus years.
The Draft Network posted their projections for the three rookie quarterbacks that are in line for the most playing time in 2025, and they perfectly encapsulated how Ward could have a season like this. Their projection was: 17 starts, 3,887 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Each week, that comes out to around 230 passing yards, 1.5 passing touchdowns, and 0.8 interceptions. Those numbers won't blow fans away, but this is where context is important. Those totals would set franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns by a rookie, surpassing what players like Marcus Mariota and Vince Young produced in Year 1.
Zooming out further, if you compare those numbers to other first-round quarterbacks over the last five years, Ward's projected touchdowns and yards would be third-best out of the group, with only Justin Herbert beating Ward in both categories.
The bad news is that his interception numbers would also be tied for second-worst in that group behind only Trevor Lawrence.
That is exactly what you expect from a gunslinger like Ward, but the hope is that he consistently improves in both areas as the years go on, with coaching consistency around him and with a better supporting cast.
Ward's intangibles are off the chart, and he is quickly becoming a leader in the young locker room with his incredible work ethic and competitiveness. Fans should look at this projection as a best-case scenario, knowing that Ward possesses all the potential in the world to build off of a season like this and carry this franchise to sustainable relevance for a decade to come.