TAMPA, Fla. — Cam Ward’s professional debut was strong, if unspectacular.
The first total decide in this yr’s NFL draft accomplished 5 of eight passes for 67 yards, but more importantly was composed and seemed comfy operating Tennessee’s offense in the Titans’ 29-7 preseason-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday evening.
Two days after working against the Bucs protection in a joint observe at Tampa Bay’s coaching facility, Ward performed two offensive sequence, including an spectacular second-quarter landing drive that gave the Titans a glimpse of what the franchise is counting on to be a shiny future with him at quarterback.
The 6-foot-2, 219-pound rookie accomplished three passes to Calvin Ridley to account for all but 15 yards on the 11-play, 65-yard TD drive Tony Pollard completed with a 1-yard scoring run.
That came after the Tennessee offense spent more than 14 minutes of the opening quarter on the sideline while Tampa Bay was constructing a 10-0 lead and a whopping 143-5 benefit in whole yardage while operating 22 performs to Tennessee’s 3.
“I thought Cam played well, the two series that he got,” Titans second-year coach Brian Callahan said. “It was kind of a weird first half with three possessions. He had one three and out, then came back with a touchdown drive. He started to feel comfortable and was begging to go back in, but that was not in the cards tonight.”
Ward felt good about the abbreviated debut.
“It was a lot guys first time playing together, but it felt good to come up with points,” after failing to transfer the ball on the Titans’ first possession,” the rookie said.
“I wanted to go out for a third (series) … but Coach Callahan has a plan for us,” Ward conceded. ”We’ll stick to his plan.”
Cam Ward celebrates after main the Titans to a second quarter landing in their 29-7 preseason highway loss to the Buccaneers on Aug. 9, 2025. Getty Images
Ward started his team’s only scoring drive with a 27-yard completion over the center to a wide-open Ridley and later led his goal chopping across the center again with a good throw for a 13-yard achieve into Tampa Bay territory.
The rookie got away with his worst throw of the evening when Bucs cornerback Josh Hayes made a good adjustment on a sideline throw supposed for receiver Elic Ayomanor but was unable to cling on to the ball for an interception.
Ward, who had no turnovers and was not sacked, left the sport after getting the Titans into the finish zone.
Backup Brandon Allen and third-stringer Tim Boyle, who threw an interception that was returned for a late landing, shared taking part in time the relaxation of the means.
Cam Ward throws a move during the Titans’ preseason highway loss to the Buccaneers. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
With Baker Mayfield and the relaxation of Tampa Bay’s regulars either given the evening off or taking part in sparingly, Kyle Trask began at quarterback for the Bucs.
While he’s listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind Mayfield, the team has signed 32-year-old Teddy Bridgewater as potential insurance coverage for the four-time defending NFC South champions.
Trask, who’s thrown just 11 regular-season passes since coming into the NFL as a second-round draft decide in 2021, led the team to Sean Tucker’s 2-yard TD run and two discipline objectives in the first half.
He accomplished 12 of 16 passes for 129 yards with out an interception before being changed by rookie free agent Connor Bazelak.
“I thought he played very well. He made some timely throws down the field. He was poised in the pocket,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “Practice wasn’t as sharp the past week, but he played well in the game.”
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