Cam Ward shows poise in Titans NFL debut

Cam Ward’s NFL debut with the Titans in the preseason showed early poise despite limited work.

Cam Ward shows poise in Titans NFL debut

Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, went five of eight for 67 yards in his NFL debut for Tennessee during the Titans' 29-7 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night in Tampa. Ward led two offensive series, including an 11-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Tony Pollard's 1-yard touchdown run, and he did not commit a turnover or be sacked. The Titans spent much of the first quarter on the sideline as Tampa Bay built a 10-0 lead and outgained Tennessee by 143-5 in total yards through the opening stanza.

Ward said it felt good to move the ball and score, and he noted the plan from coach Brian Callahan limited his time. Two days earlier the Titans practiced against the Bucs, and Ward said he would have liked more chances but respects the plan. After Ward left, backups Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle split the rest of the game. Tampa Bay started Kyle Trask at QB with Baker Mayfield off to the side, and the Bucs used the game to tune up depth chart questions ahead of the regular season.

Ward showed the kind of poise teams look for in a No. 1 pick. A two-series appearance can do little to prove a quarterback is ready, but the calm in the pocket and the late drive against a higher-level defense count as a positive signal for Tennessee. The bigger test will come when Ward faces more complex schemes and constant pressure in real games. For now, the Titans can point to a scenario where development and opportunity align, while still resisting the urge to project too much from a single preseason appearance.

Highlights

Ward’s first live action leaves a clear path forward built on steady progress rather than dramatic leaps.