Cam Ward’s first rookie minicamp with the Titans didn’t come with fireworks, but it didn’t need to. The 22-year-old quarterback, fresh off a record-breaking season at Miami, kept things low-key but sharp. No flashy throws, no over-the-top speeches—just crisp footwork, clean mechanics, and a calm presence that didn’t go unnoticed. He didn’t say much, but when the head coach, Brian Callahan, was asked, he simply stated, “He got a bit of a head start.”

The Titans have already made it clear that they aren’t going to name a starter despite drafting Ward at first overall. Callahan and Co. wants the former Miami quarterback to win the starting job. For the time being, Ward’s competition includes the third-year quarterback, Will Lewis, whom the team picked with the 33rd overall pick back in the 2023 NFL draft.

Besides, the Titans’ QB room also includes veteran backup Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. Sure, it’s widely expected that Ward will start in 2025, but he still has to prove it in practices and preseason games. With the rookie minicamp wrapped, he, along with the other rookies, is now joining the rest of the veterans in the offseason program starting Monday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.

And get this—right before that next step, the quarterback got a strong message from the team’s veterans. The 22-year-old QB stated that the veterans wished him well and said, “Get ready to work.” And like every other rookie, Ward is out there making an impression on and off the field.

“I (want people to know) I am all about business, I really want to be a pro, I want to be one of the great ones,” Ward said. “And I want to be a good teammate at the end of the day. I want to win a lot of football games in my career, and I am excited to be around good vets like (Calvin) Ridley, good guys up front like Lloyd (Cushenberry) and JC (Latham), and those guys, I am excited and ready to get to work.” Selected as the first overall by the Titans, Ward will have to earn the starting spot this fall.

And the guy made it clear that he’s ready to compete and lead the team. But before he kicks off his rookie season, the guy’s out there playing a key role in the team’s roster decision.

Titans to get Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo’s magic?

Sometimes, quarterback-receiver chemistry is more jazz than science. One glance, one hitch, one back-shoulder fade that just works. Duo like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce or Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning, built it with endless reps and trust. It’s not magic. No. Just muscle memory, timing, and knowing your guy’s gonna be there before he even breaks.

And that’s the kind of stuff Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo pulled off back in the 2024 season for the Miami Hurricanes. Restrepo wasn’t a typical receiver for the Hurricanes. He was Ward’s go-to guy. He had 69 receptions, 1,127 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2024, averaging over 16 yards a catch. Sure, he remained undrafted in the 2025 NFL draft, but Ward knows his potential, and he pushed every team to select him that he met with before the draft.

“I did push for him, every team that I visited with, I pushed, I pushed for him,” Ward said after the second day of the Titans’ rookie mini-camp. “He’s one of the best route runners in college football last year. He’s first team all conference, he’s all American, he never lost in man coverage, he’s back-to-back thousand yard receiver, so why wouldn’t you push for him?” The Titans signed the receiver as an undrafted free agent.

And looking at Ward’s confidence over his former Miami teammate and the numbers against his name, Brian Callahan and Co. are betting big on the WR. And why not? The duo was just unstoppable in the 2024 season, owning the zone defenses. So, if the Titans are looking to go ahead with a young quarterback, why not add an offensive weapon to his arsenal that he’s familiar with? It totally makes sense.