Week 1 of the NFL preseason is officially here, meaning we’ll see the debuts of the top 2025 NFL rookies, including Jaguars' two-star star Travis Hunter. But most eyes will be trained on the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, Titans QB Cam Ward, who will see his first professional burn against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ward will debut in the Titans vs. Bucs game on Saturday, August 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET in NFL Preseason Week 1. Ward is Tennessee's undisputed QB1 already, and will get the start. Ward is expected to play at least one drive in the exhibition, but likely not much more.
Ward is projected for 44.5 passing yards for the NFL Preseason Week 1 on PrizePicks NFL Preseason game — where you can pick More or Less on Ward's stats and more preseason player projections.
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Titans vs. Bucs Prediction: Cam Ward Pass Yards
Considering journeymen quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle are currently slotted in as Ward's current backups, the Miami product has the starting gig locked down for the Titans.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Ward and the entire first team will start this game and play a series or two. That’s good for Ward, who commanded the first team throughout camp.
While Ward is the player who needs the most snaps on this roster, the Titans will protect their No. 1 overall pick and limit his snaps in his first NFL game.
The Bucs are expected to play their starters for at least one series as well, though many starters will sit out this week, including QB Baker Mayfield. Their roster is mainly intact from last season, so we shouldn't expect to see much of the first units. This could mean Ward will see defensive backups and players fighting for a roster spot, a potential advantage for the rook.
Opposing starting quarterbacks had success going against Tampa Bay in the 2024 preseason, with two of the three starting QBs tossing for 45+ yards against them, including Mac Jones for the Jaguars 9 (sans Trevor Lawrence), who threw for 210 yards.
With limited playing time, Ward wont have that kind of upside here, but it does give some context for how the Bucs defense has performed in the past.
It's worth noting that there is some weather concerns in Tampa tonight, as there is a 58% chance of showers at game start time, which may slightly tick down production for Ward, but nothing he hasn't played in before.
What To Expect From Cam Ward in NFL Preseason Week 1
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty and Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter have seen their fair share of preseason hype, but rookie-watchers and fantasy owners alike will have their eyes trained on Ward, who have see plenty of opportunity to thrive as he shares the field with the first team.
Last season at Miami, Ward was one of the NCAA's most dynamic passers, leading the country with 39 touchdown passes and finishing second in passing yards with 4,313. This is all thanks to his incredible arm strength and his ACC-leading 9.5 yards gained per pass attempt.
He has start has been promising so far in Tennessee training camp.
Much to Ward's undoubted pleasure, the Titans put together a nice little receivers room this spring. Top option Calvin Ridley is coming off his third 1,000-plus receiving yard season in the last four years. The Titans also brought in former Seahawks standout Tyler Lockett, a reliable vertical threat who's made a career of looooong touchdown receptions.
It looks as though Ward and his pass catchers will get a few series together to help build chemistry.
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