Cam Ward was supposed to go first, and Shedeur Sanders wasn’t supposed to wait all that long afterward. That was the conclusion most football pundits and fans came to after months and months of build-up to the 2025 NFL Draft.

At least they were half-right.

Ward did get picked No. 1 by the Tennessee Titans. But Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, didn’t get picked No. 2 overall. Or in the first round. Or in the first four rounds. He tumbled down the draft board all the way to the No. 144 pick, landing as the sixth quarterback drafted when the Cleveland Browns selected him.

Ward, who worked out with Sanders during the pre-draft process, took notice of Sanders’ tumble. Now, as Ward’s Titans (1-11) visit Sanders’ Browns (3-9) at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 7 (noon CT, FOX), Ward reflected back on the conversation he had with Sanders shortly after the ordeal.

“Really everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for myself and has a plan for you,” Ward told reporters on Dec. 3. “At the end of the day, you’ve just got to continue prove yourself right. Every time he steps on the field I know he’s got the opportunity to prove himself right. Same goes for me. You’ve just got to continue to stay in the everyday mindset of getting better and not letting bad outcomes dictate the next day.”

Ward said he and Sanders haven’t spoken or texted since the season started. Ward’s been in his playbook as the Titans‘ No. 1 quarterback since July, while Sanders only recently took over as the Browns’ starter due to injuries and trades.

Coming into draft night, the Browns owned the No. 2 pick. Ward visited with the Browns in the pre-draft process, meeting with everyone from owner Jimmy Haslam to general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski. Ward has nothing but nice things to say about his interactions with the Browns, and says it was an honor to be scouted as thoroughly as he was.

Had the Titans traded out of the No. 1 pick, there’s a chance Ward could’ve landed in Cleveland instead of Sanders.

Of course, that’s not what happened.

“I’m excited that I’m here,” Ward said. “I’m excited that I’m a Titan. I think everything worked out for a reason.”

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.