Tennessee has its quarterback of the future after selecting Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.
Ward knows that doesn't mean he'll be handed the reins immediately without earning it, and his offensive tackle JC Latham believes the mindset he's carrying through the offseason -- as well as Will Levis' drive to make it a competition -- can only pay dividends for the Titans.
"Will's not just gonna sit over here and say, 'Oh, we drafted him, go ahead take it.' Cam's not gonna expect it to just be given to him," Latham said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Throughout the spring, I think that's the one thing that all the coaches and players on the team have seen, like both of them taking the challenge of trying to really earn the spot and really fight for the spot. It's made them better. You can see the improvements from Will and you can see the sharpness of Cam."
Levis is the incumbent starter, a second-round pick two years ago that has struggled through 21 career starts. He's thrown for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with a 5-16 record and completion percentage of 61.0. He's acknowledged the situation "sucks," even if one of his protectors up front has still seen him keep his head up and push the rookie QB gunning for his job.
Ward, meanwhile, boasts both a strong arm and athletic playmaking ability that should help cushion him as he gets adjusted to defenses at the NFL level.
He's approached everything the right way thus far, and Latham noted he is taking on a leadership role early.
Ward possesses the experience necessary to succeed if thrown in the deep end. He's made 57 collegiate starts and learned various offenses, beginning in the FCS with Incarnate Word before moving onto Washington State and then transferring to Miami in his final season. It was there he solidified himself as the top QB prospect in the 2025 draft; he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist and consensus All-American and won ACC Offensive Player of the Year and the Davey O'Brien Award.
History is also on his side. Of the 12 previous quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall, dating back to 2009, only two -- Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff -- were not made Day 1 starters.
The writing appears to be on the wall, but there's nothing wrong with the Titans waiting to make anything official. Teams will always opt to foster competition up and down the roster to bring the best out in every player.
According to Latham, that's very much going to plan at QB.
