Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has delivered a strikingly candid assessment of his team following a challenging initiation into their NFL training camp. The highly anticipated first-round pick, who has now completed his initial padded practices, expressed a noticeable lack of satisfaction with the current state of the squad, sparking immediate discussion among fans and analysts alike.
Ward’s frank evaluation emerged on Wednesday, where he openly stated, “I just think we’re very mid right now.” This bold declaration, coming from a first-year player, was notably tempered by his immediate self-reproach, as he quickly added, “At the end of the day, it all starts with me,” accepting accountability for the team’s perceived stagnation.
The “mid” assessment from the former Miami Hurricanes star comes after a particularly rough patch in practice, with the Titans’ official website reporting a total of four interceptions thrown by Ward across two consecutive days of training. His accuracy numbers were also less than stellar, completing 11 of 23 passes on Wednesday and 11 of 26 during Tuesday’s session.
Despite these early struggles in the demanding environment of an NFL training camp, Ward arrived in Nashville with considerable hype. Notably, he gained special permission from Hall-of-Famer Warren Moon to wear the iconic No. 1 jersey, a number previously retired by the franchise, underscoring the high expectations placed upon him as a potential franchise cornerstone.
Ward’s path to the starting role has also been unexpectedly cleared, as he is now set to take the job uncontested following the recent confirmation that fellow quarterback Will Levis would miss the remainder of the season due to injury. This development places the spotlight squarely on the rookie’s shoulders as he navigates his inaugural professional season.
Historically, Ward’s selection marks a significant moment for the Titans, as he is the first quarterback the franchise has drafted in the first round since the selection of Marcus Mariota as the second overall pick in 2015. This emphasizes the team’s commitment to building around a young, talented signal-caller for the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, Ward holds the distinction of being the first first-overall draft pick for the Titans’ franchise since their days as the Houston Oilers, when they famously selected running back Earl Campbell in 1978. This deep historical context adds another layer of pressure and expectation to the young quarterback’s tenure in Tennessee.
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