Cam Ward, the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, showed some positive flashes during his rookie season. Despite the Tennesse Titans again finishing with a very poor record of 3-14, Ward put up some decent numbers. His TD to INT ratio was a solid 15-7, to go along with a decent passer rating of 80.7 and 3,169 passing yards.
While there is obviously room for improvement with Ward, he has earned the trust and belief of Vince Young.
The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and 3rd overall pick in 2006, Young led the Titans to the playoffs in his second season in the league (2007). He also made the Pro Bowl in two of his first four seasons.
Young believes that Ward has all the potential in the world, but he needs a much better supporting cast around
him.
"That young man is doing everything he’s supposed to do right now," Young said in an exclusive with Ratings.org.
"I’m just happy they got some people around him. I really feel like he went through the situation Caleb (Williams) went through in Chicago (during his rookie season with the Bears). He didn’t have anybody to throw the ball to, and he was just running for his life. I really feel like the Titans organization has done that- put some good receivers around him, good running backs, better offensive line.
"Now he gets to be more comfortable in the offense that he’s in."
The Titans signed wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson on a four-year, $78 million deal, and he'll immediately become Ward's new top target.
Tennessee also used their top draft pick, the 4th overall selection, on a receiver- Ohio State's Carnell Tate.
The reworking of the receiver room was pretty exciting and interesting, but the makeover of the offensive line, not so much. (Isn't that always the way though? O-linemen just don't make headlines and sell tickets!)
Three starters return: left tackle Dan Moore Jr. left guard Peter Skoronski and right tackle JC Latham. Austin Schlottmann was signed to take over as the new starting center, while rookie Fernando Carmona, a fifth round draft pick, appears to be the new starter at right guard.
Neither Ward nor Tate impressed this preseason, as both produced lackluster numbers. However, we all know that preseason performances are rarely a predictive indicator of anything.
Former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is the Titans' new Offensive Coordinator, and that means a new system for Ward to run in 2026. Two different approaches and schemes in his first two years.
"That’s always tough to do as well when you come into a situation and then your offensive coordinator leaves, and all that type of stuff," Young continued.
"And then you gotta learn the whole playbook over again. I really feel like that’s good for him moving forward, and then he’s winning over the team.
"The guys speak really highly of him, the organization as well, and even the city, Nashville. That’s all a plus."
In other words, it's a bit of a fresh start for Cam Ward in 2026. These days, franchise QBs are usually given the keys from day one, and they are expected to produce. Most teams kind of know by year two or three if they have their guy or not.
Young also added that he was impressed by Ward's intangibles and arm strength, describing him, overall, as "a winner."
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Titans legend Vince Young believes in 2025 #1 overall pick Cam Ward
