Throughout the offseason, the Titans were very intentional in how they curated Cam Ward’s acclimation process. His development was assessed through a daily lens — not measured by how close he was to starting or being a franchise quarterback. Coach Brian Callahan didn’t even name Ward the starter in the spring, even though the No. 1 overall pick is universally expected to be Tennessee’s QB1 come opening day.
“There’s so much work to be done between now and [the season], notably for him,” Callahan mentioned in Might. “[There are] so many issues that you need to be taught as a younger quarterback. So I do not get too far down that street personally with him.”
An enormous cause for that measured tone is due to Will Levis. The previous second-round decide’s failures final season have knowledgeable Tennessee’s strategy. Levis had no resistance for QB1 standing at the beginning of final yr. He was handed the keys to the automotive as quickly as Callahan was named head coach in January 2024. The outcomes have been disastrous: In 12 begins, Levis had a 2-10 report and tied for a league-high in turnovers with 18.
However there was worth to his presence for the 2025 Titans. With the information Monday that Levis will endure season-ending shoulder surgical procedure, that worth is gone.
“We help his resolution to concentrate on his long-term well being,” the Titans mentioned in an announcement. “He approached the offseason with professionalism and confirmed clear progress as a frontrunner. We stay assured in his full restoration.”
On the very least, Levis was Tennessee’s greatest backup behind Ward. At present, the group’s solely different choices are Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle, each added this offseason. They’ve began a mixed 15 video games in 11 NFL seasons. Count on the Titans to look so as to add a veteran with notable beginning expertise to the QB room.
With Will Levis out, Cam Ward’s backups are Brandon Allen (No. 10) and Tim Boyle (No. 15), who’ve two whole wins between them as beginning NFL quarterbacks. (Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photos)
Levis was somebody who might push the No. 1 decide in practices (as he did in spurts in the course of the offseason program, when he had a powerful exhibiting). He is somebody greater than able to beginning in a pinch, somebody who gave Tennessee the leeway to develop Ward on a extra comfy timeline.
With Levis out, there’s no extra security web for Ward and the Titans. His accelerated progress should start in coaching camp, which begins Wednesday.
It’s paramount due to the dimensions of the problem in Week 1, when the Titans journey to face the Broncos. A playoff group in 2024, Denver boasts an elite protection that has gotten even higher this offseason on paper with the additions of first-round decide Jahdae Barron and former 49ers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. The Broncos ranked first within the NFL final season in EPA allowed per go and quarterback pressures, and third in strain charge and factors allowed, in keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats. They play an aggressive model of protection underneath skilled coordinator Vance Joseph, who might be desirous to rattle a rookie quarterback like Ward. Denver had the fourth-highest blitz charge within the league final season.
It’s not an excellent first NFL sport for a inexperienced passer.
The nice factor for the Titans, although, is that Ward appears as much as challenges. He displayed regular enchancment in offseason practices, showcasing an early consolation in attacking the center of the sphere. He bounced again from interceptions and missed alternatives with massive performs, together with landing passes. He wasn’t afraid to bark again at his trash-talking defensive teammates, together with Professional Bowl defensive sort out Jeffery Simmons. As an unproven rookie, Ward has proven the Titans as a lot as they might hope for earlier than the beginning of coaching camp.
“We would have liked slightly little bit of edge to us. … Cam has slightly little bit of that to him,” offensive coordinator Nick Holz mentioned in June. “And everyone feeds off of that, which is sweet.”
The Titans misplaced a security web with Levis’ resolution to have surgical procedure, certain. The timing makes it worse. However Ward was going to need to transcend the protection web anyway, sooner reasonably than later. That’s what a No. 1 decide does. That’s what a franchise quarterback does.
Is that what Ward will do?
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You possibly can comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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