How does Titans' Cam Ward compare to quarterbacks on rookie contracts?

Now that the majority of the NFL has quieted down, waiting on the schedule release and for offseason team activities (OTAs) to begin, rankings of different types are starting to trickle out. One of the latest to pop up was by Nick Shook of NFL. com, who broke down the top 15 quarterbacks on rookie contracts, and has Titans QB Cam Ward in a solid position.

Rank 6 - Cam Ward - Year 2 · Age 23 - Tennessee Titans 2026 cap hit: $11. 1 million Given the circumstances into which Ward was dropped as a rookie, he performed quite well. Cam joined a team lacking legitimate threats at receiver and in need of multiple offseason cycles' worth of talent acquisition, yet he found a way to maximize the Titans' abilities in most games.

The results weren't visible in Tennessee's overall record (3-14), but they're plentiful in the game tape. On a weekly basis, Ward was good for a few highlight throws, handled the speed of the game well, and didn't allow the typical rookie mistakes to bury him. I expect him to continue to take steps forward in Year 2.

Shooks’ analysis was spot on; Ward outperformed his statistics and the team's 2025 record. Most importantly, after a slow start to the season under Brian Callahan, he grew every week after his dismissal and looked like a completely different quarterback down the stretch. With the additional weapons added to the roster throughout the offseason along with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Ward should be in a position to take a huge leap forward in 2026.