Cam Ward debut grade: Titans QB has uneven performance in preseason start vs. Buccaneers

Daniel Chavkin

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Cam Ward debut grade: Titans QB has uneven performance in preseason start vs. Buccaneers image

Thanks to a breakout 2024 season at Miami (FL), Cam Ward became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Now, the Titans' quarterback enters his rookie season with surprisingly little hype compared to most first overall picks. Still, Ward has essentially locked up Tennessee's starting quarterback job before playing his first game.

Ward made his NFL debut on Saturday night against the Buccaneers, playing just two series during the preseason opener. One drive lasted significantly longer than the other, which sums up what kind of night it was for the rookie. While Ward showed some inexperience, he also showed the talent that made him the top pick in April.

Here's how Ward fared during his first NFL action.

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Cam Ward debut grade

Grade: B

Ward started slow, going 0-for-2 on his first drive of the night, but he settled in nicely during his second drive. Ward completed five passes on the Titans' first touchdown drive of the night, finding Calvin Ridley three times to move the offense down the field.

While Ward made one ill-advised pass that could have been intercepted, he was able to ultimately avoid both turnovers and sacks. It was a relatively strong start on a rainy night for the first overall pick in his first real NFL action.

Cam Ward debut stats

  • Completions/Attempts: 5/8
  • Passing Yards: 67
  • Passer Rating: 89.1
  • Touchdowns: 0
  • Interceptions: 0
  • Carries: 0
  • Rushing Yards: 0

Of Ward's 67 passing yards, 50 went to star wide receiver Calvin Ridley, showing an immediate connection between the two. Wad also found Tyler Lockett and Chig Okonkwo on the night before Tony Pollard punched the ball in for the score.

Cam Ward debut highlights

After a three-and-out that featured two incomplete passes, Ward finally completed his first pass in the second quarter, a 27-yard connection to Calvin Ridley.

Ward continued to find Ridley on the drive, as each of his first three completions went to the veteran wide receiver.

Ward also found Chig Okonkwo and Tyler Locket on the drive, which ended with a Tony Pollard rushing touchdown.

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.