TAMPA, Fla. ― Cam Ward will take the field for the Tennessee Titans in his first NFL preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 9.
To mark the occasion, The Tennessean will be charting each of Ward’s plays and providing analysis on what these snaps mean for the No. 1 pick’s present and future as the Titans’ new franchise quarterback.
Ward, 23, is listed as the starter on the Titans’ unofficial depth chart and the division of practice reps throughout the summer and training camp have more than reflected that. Titans coach Brian Callahan said he’ll expect his starters to play one or two series in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay, but he didn’t reveal a more detailed plan beyond that.
The Titans visit the Buccaneers (6:30 p.m. CT) for this matchup at Raymond James Stadium two days after the squads faced off in a joint practice session. Ward looked like he belonged in that session, throwing particularly well in the two-minute and red zone periods while scuffling a bit in the 1-on-1 period.
Follow along below for live updates and analysis of Cam Ward’s performance in his preseason debut.
Cam Ward updates: Tracking Titans QB’s throws, performance vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersCam Ward info
The Titans drafted Ward with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting him over such other options as WR/DB Travis Hunter and edge rusher Abdul Carter. Ward replaces Will Levis as the Titans’ starting quarterback for 2025 and is the next step in the lineage of high-drafted Titans quarterbacks that also includes Vince Young, Jake Locker and Marcus Mariota. Ward spent his college years at three schools: University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, an FCS school, Washington State and Miami. He finished college as the Division I all-time leader in touchdown passes thrown and won the Davey O’Brien Award in 2024, given to the top quarterback in college football.
Preseason
Saturday, Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. at Tampa Bay Friday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m. at Atlanta (TV: NFL Network)Friday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m. at Minnesota (TV: CBS)
Regular Season
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, 3:05 p.m. at Denver (TV: FOX)Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, noon vs. Los Angeles (TV: CBS)Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, noon vs. Indianapolis (TV: CBS)Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, noon at Houston (TV: CBS)Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, 3:05 p.m. at Arizona (TV: CBS)Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, 3:05 p.m. at Las Vegas (TV: FOX)Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, noon vs. New England (TV: CBS)Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, 3:25 p.m. at Indianapolis (TV: CBS)Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, noon vs. Los Angeles (TV: CBS)Week 10: Off Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, noon vs. Houston (TV: FOX)Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, noon vs. Seattle (TV: FOX) Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, noon vs. Jacksonville (TV: CBS)Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 17, noon at Cleveland (TV: FOX)Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:25 p.m. at San Francisco (TV: FOX)Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21, noon vs. Kansas City (TV: CBS)Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, noon vs. New Orleans (TV: CBS)Week 18: Time, date TBD (flex game) at Jacksonville (TV: TBD)
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.