Ward's big throw comes up short

Cam Ward’s early big throw was wiped out by a drop, clouding a promising start against the Falcons.

Ward's promising start marred by dropped TD in Titans preseason

In the Friday preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward uncorked a long pass six and a half minutes into the game that looked headed for a touchdown. Van Jefferson couldn’t haul it in, wiping out what would have been a striking early score. The near-miss set the tone for a night defined by what could have been a breakout moment and by the patience teams often require with a young QB.

Ward then tried a screen on third down, which resulted in a punt. He finished his brief appearance with 5 completions on 8 attempts for 67 yards across two series, plus an 11-play, 65-yard drive that ended in a touchdown. He did this while missing his regular targets, Tyler Lockett and Calvin Ridley, but connected with Elic Ayomanor to show he can thread passes under pressure. The Titans had a clear plan to test Ward in a live setting while building rhythm with players who will spell out his ceiling next season.

This game underscores the delicate balance teams strike with a rookie first-round pick. Ward showed the arm talent and decisiveness that justified the draft investment, even when his surrounding personnel were less than ideal. A single dropped ball by a teammate can distort perception, especially for a signal caller under public scrutiny. The Titans will need to translate the rare big-throw moment into consistent production with a fuller receiving corps, something Ward will chase throughout the preseason and into the regular season. The moment also highlights how NFL development often hinges on timing, trust, and physical reps more than a single flash of talent.

As Ward grows, the preseason will be less about wins and more about learning to manage pace, audibles, and progression with new targets. If he can turn this early show into steady chemistry with Ayomanor and others, the Titans may have a quarterback with a ceiling that matches the initial hype. Friday’s miscue is not the end of the story but a chapter that will be read and re-read in coming weeks.

Highlights

The road ahead will reveal if this moment was a turning point or a learning setback for Ward.