We are seven games into the NFL season for the Tennessee Titans and the results are not good. The Titans are 1-6, with an incredibly unpredictable win over the Arizona Cardinals, along with their coach, Brian Callahan, being fired after the sixth game of the season. And not even ten games into the season, the criticism has reached the field for the number one overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward. Ward has faced scrutiny not only for his team’s record but also because he has inexplicably fumbled, with the ball slipping from his hand in two consecutive weeks while in the pocket. Add in the missed throws and his tendency to hold the ball too long sometimes, and some people are already wondering about Ward. Some analysts and fans question his readiness and whether he can quickly adapt to the professional level. Now, some are questioning his legitimacy as the quarterback for Tennessee and even mentioning the “b” word: Bust.
Do you think Cam Ward is a bust through 7 games? 615-737-1025. @1025TheGame
YT: https://t.co/ZccBFwcSlP
X: https://t.co/bIrE8VuA1j— Chase McCabe (@ChaseOnGame) October 21, 2025
First, it is insane that this is really being discussed about a quarterback who was just drafted first overall this year. But this represents why the microwave society and the need to rapidly develop a quarterback exist. In recent years, CJ Stroud has been an instantly viable quarterback, leading the Houston Texans to the AFC South division crown and the playoffs in 2023, his rookie season. And just last year, rookie Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship game. People saw these types of expectations and thought Ward was going to come out and do the same thing or at least have the type of individual who rivaled Stroud and Daniels’ rookie production. But unfortunately, things do not happen that way all the time. But Ward is not the first to have things take time.
One of the best quarterbacks of all time did not have it all together when he entered the NFL. He was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL Draft. People expected him to play excellently from the beginning, but they were mistaken when Manning threw 28 interceptions along with 26 touchdown passes in his first season. The next year, he would cut his interceptions down from 28 to 15 while keeping his touchdown totals the same at 26. Manning would never achieve as many interceptions as he did in his rookie season, and his touchdown totals continued to rise throughout his career. Manning is cerebral and has been that for the majority of his career, yet he was not able to avoid the mistakes that happen when a rookie quarterback takes over a team.
Drake Maye, a 2024 first pick of the New England Patriots and third overall pick, had 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his rookie season. At some points, people were wondering about his development. But the good thing is they waited on him and trusted the process. Now, he is playing like he wants to join the upper echelon of quarterbacks, throwing 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 7 games so far.
Has Cam Ward done some things that are not good? Yes. But he has also done some excellent things as he has been developing during his rookie season. It is absolutely insane to even mention the word “bust” when it comes to Ward, only seven games into the season. The people mentioning that word fail to understand that people develop at different paces and that instant gratification isn’t always the best thing when it comes to quarterbacks.
