When the Titans selected Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he wasn't the most highly-touted QB prospect in recent memory, but he was an investment that the team believed in.
Tennessee doesn't have another viable quarterback option on the roster, so Ward is assured to start Week 1, and because of that, the Titans have been cautious with his usage in the preseason. Heading into the exhibition finale on Friday night against the Vikings, Ward had only participated in five of the Titans' preseason offensive drives and had yet to score a touchdown.
He led an impressive 13-play drive in the second quarter that ended with running back Julius Chestnut vaulting himself over the line for a score. Ward still didn't get to add a touchdown to his stat line, but he likely has Titans fans excited after seeing an offensive drive end in seven points.
Julius Chesnut goes up and over for the @Titans TD!
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025
Watch on CBS
Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/hnGIy3HWcA
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Here's how Ward did in his final preseason game.
Cam Ward stats today vs. Vikings
- Completions/Attempts: 3/4
- Passing Yards: 36
- AVG: 12.0
- Passing TDs: 0
- Interceptions: 0
- Rating: 102.1
- Rushing Yards: 1
- Rushing TDs: 0
Ward played two drives Friday night. The first was a three-and-out that ended in a punt. The second was an eight-minute drive that featured Ward making plays to help drive the Titans down the field.
Tennessee benefitted from a strong run game with Chestnut and Kalel Mullings, as well as a couple of defensive penalties. Ward finished the preseason completing 10-of-19 passes for 162 yards and a 81.46 QB rating. He played a total of seven drives on offense across three games.
MORE NFL: Who takes over in Washington backfield after Brian Robinson trade?
Cam Ward preseason stats
- Completions/Attempts: 10/19
- Passing Yards: 162
- AVG: 16.2
- Passing TDs: 0
- Interceptions: 0
- Rating: 81.46
- Rushing Yards: 1
- Rushing TDs: 0
MORE NFL: Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon leaves preseason game on cart
Cam Ward highlights in Week 3 preseason game vs. Vikings
Ward fired a bullet early in the first quarter to Van Jefferson.
Cam Ward on a rope to Van Jefferson for 17 yards 🎯
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025
Watch on CBS
Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/1pViG9NS5J
Ward set up the Titans' first touchdown of the night with a six-yard strike to wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, which got the offense to the one-yard line.
Cam Ward to Ayomanor pic.twitter.com/B3D8Vof38J
— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) August 23, 2025
Titans QB depth chart
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Cam Ward |
| 2 | Will Levis - IR |
| 3 | Brandon Allen |
| 4 | Trevor Siemian |
Ward will be named the Titans starting quarterback ahead of Week 1. Tennessee does not have much depth on the roster, and Ward will have to learn and gain plenty of experience as the Titans begin their rebuild.
Levis is expected to miss the entire 2025 season due to shoulder surgery. He wasn't expected to compete for the starting gig, but he would have been Ward's backup. Levis' injury paves the way for Allen and Siemian to both secure a roster spot.
Allen has bounced around the NFL as a backup. He began his career with the Broncos in 2019 and played for the Bengals from 2020 to 2022. He was last with the 49ers in 2024 before joining the Titans this year. Siemian hasn't played in regular season NFL game since 2023 when he was with the Jets.