Why Cam Ward Won’t Be The Key To The Titans Success

The Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward will be as far down on their list of key factors as any top pick can be.

Tennessee took one of the biggest steps forward in April by taking the former Miami Hurricane quarterback with the top pick in the draft. In a normal circumstance, the addition of a No. 1 overall pick would mean unlocking the potential of the team and being the main contributor to the ascension of the franchise.

The reason for this isn’t due to the talent or production that the first-year player will have, it’s because the other pieces around him will be looked upon to make early impacts.

For example, Tennessee chose three highly talented weapons in the fourth round. All three will be looked upon to be contributors to the offense.

Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike are two wide receivers that the Titans will need to produce in 2025. Last season, the receivers outside of Calvin Ridley were below average at best. Ayomanor and Dike have a low bar to meet and could exceed the expectations early on.

The most important of the three will be tight end Gunnar Helm.

With players like Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle being his only immediate competitors, he could end up being the starting tight end before season’s end. He is the most complete of three and has the potential to be the safety blanket Ward needs in the infancy of his career.

Sticking with the offense, the Titans had questions about the offensive line but addressed them in totality during the offseason.

The additions of Dan Moore and Kevin Zeitler will have to be solid to keep Ward upright. Moore will be the most valuable addition if he can solidify the left side for a team that has been in search of a replacement for longtime offensive tackle star, Taylor Lewan.

Moore allowed 12 sacks in 2024 but also posted an overall grade that put him in the top half of the league for tackles. If the line plays up to its potential on paper, this offense will take a leap that could see them compete with the best in the league.

Last but not least will be the coaching staff and their ability to rally this team after a disappointing 2024 campaign.

Head coach Brian Callahan will enter the season with his entire staff returning, which will lend itself to the success of the team as a whole.

Callahan should be better after having a year to iron out the kinks in his process and streamlining his approach.

The team will also have veterans entering year two in the culture that has been established. This not only helps them acclimate rookies to the franchise, it allows them to take their time with development instead of establishing new systems.

All things said, Tennessee hopes Ward pans out but he won’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders. He will be the smallest cog in the machine and gets to be a guy instead of the “guy”.