What do you expect from a first-round QB? Explosive plays? Check. Charisma worthy of leadership? Check. Confidence to bring the worst franchise in the 2024 season back on the table? Cam Ward seems to check all the boxes for the Tennessee Titans. It’s no wonder he went first overall. But as he enters a QB room with Will Levis, one has to wonder what coach Brian Callahan is thinking. And when Cam Ward gets his chance to lead the Titans on the gridiron.

As a Miami standout, Cam Ward’s last season was certainly something for the books. A sweet number of 39 TDs, along with explosive 4,313 yards, leaves very little to the imagination. But how does that stack up in the NFL? In comparison, Will Levis’ last season boasts 2,091 yards and 13 TDs. Not exactly Cam Ward’s competition, but then, college and the big league are two very different cups of tea. Will Ward be able to stack up against the pro competition? HC Brain Callahan seems to have a plan.

As per Adam Schefter’s post on X, “Titans QBs Cam Ward and Will Levis are splitting reps right now, Titans HC Brian Callahan says.” So, does that mean equal opportunity for both Ward and Levis? Callahan had decided on Will Levis as the starting QB last season. But a 3-14 record clearly gave him a lot to think about. This year, he’s not rushing into anything. Callahan is weighing his options heavily before coming to any sort of conclusion that will determine the fate of their 2025 prospects. As ESPN’s Turron Davenport writes, “Callahan said it’s premature to name Ward the starter because there’s a lot of work that has to be done over the next three months. Rather than focus on the season opener, Callahan wants Levis and Ward to focus on what’s directly in front of them.”

For now, Will Levis seems to be the starting QB. The OTA reps are split evenly between the two Titans. But is that set in stone? Not really. As Callahan said, “It will change probably a little bit when we get to the next phase of the OTAs and there’s some 7-on-7.” For now, he seems to be happy with both the QBs. Especially how they are handling the competition. “They’ve both handled it really well – I’ve been pleased with their demeanor and approach. Will has done a really nice job getting better at the things he needs to get better at. Cam has done a really nice job of integrating himself. … They’ve both done a really nice job getting up to speed where they needed to.”

Will Levis has been working with QB coach Jordan Palmer this offseason. Callahan is reportedly happy with how Levis has been “getting better at things he needs to get better at.” And Cam Ward? He’s learning the team’s playbook and bonding with the teammates, which will one day help him reach great heights. But it’s not just Levis and Ward who are putting in the work. Under Callahan, the Titans’ gaze has shifted to the future. And the whole squad is onboard.

Brian Callahan’s new plans for the Titans

As the Titans roll into the OTAs, Brian Callahan has a rather creative way to keep the team engaged. He’s divided the Titans into eight teams with about 10-12 players each. And they will now be competing for “points.” As Titans insider Blaine Keller writes, “They’ve penalized on what lost a league-worst 14 games last season – penalties, negative plays, turnovers – and incentivized better execution through a team-wide challenge. – Callahan explained: A defensive player can gain three points for his team with an interception. But the quarterback on that same team who threw it loses three points.” The objective? As Callahan said, “What it does is you see more communication, more conversation, more accountability to other folks around the team, and they get to know each other on a different level than maybe just offense and defense.”

And the team’s all in for it too. As RB Tony Pollard said, “you’ve got the leader of the group and then you got all the other guys on the team, and if any one person in that team messes up in practice or has a (mental error), that’s a negative. So that makes you accountable for everything you’re doing throughout the building.” And he’s not the only one who’s loving this fresh wave of competition within the team. LB Cody Barton is all for the challenge. “I’ve not seen anywhere else where it’s this highly competitive, and you know, I like it a lot.” Callahan’s plans are resonating with the players and bringing out the best within themselves.

From tug of war to pulling weight sleds with a rope, Callahan is going out of his way to bring the team closer. He’s also urging the eight teams to share their personal stories, the good and the bad, with each other. As these exercises bridge the gaps between the players, it also builds massive synergy. The fans are now excited to see how this synergy will play out in the new season. Will Callahan’s strategy bring a turnaround story for the Titans? What do you think?