Titans Drop Preseason Opener, but Cam Ward Shines in Limited Action

Tennessee Titans defeated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 2025 Preseason Week 1

Cam Ward made the most of his limited reps Saturday night. 

His first drive was a three-and-out, with Ward going 0/2. However, the commentator remarked that Ward showed maturity when he threw the ball away on 3rd and long instead of forcing something like many young QBs would do. 

Ward came out firing on his next drive, though. He went 5/6 for 67 yards. As mentioned in the preview article, Ward and Calvin Ridley developed a connection during training camp. 

That connection was on full display during this drive. Ridley caught three passes for 50 yards. The drive culminated in a Tony Pollard rushing touchdown, the Titans’ only points of the game. 

In a post-game press conference, Ward said, “I’ve gotta maximize my drives, I had a three and out (in the) first quarter and that’s all we did.”

Ward only played two drives, yet he played into the second quarter. The Titans just could not get the Bucs off the field. The Titans had 17 first-half plays. That is a bigger issue than the final scoreline. And the blame does not fall on the shoulders of Cam Ward. 

The second half was arguably worse with Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle going a combined 10/25 for less than a hundred yards and three picks.  

The Bucs do deserve credit. Despite resting many starters, they dominated the game in almost every aspect. 

The final score does not matter. The goal was getting players reps in game conditions to see what potential certain players have, and to decide who makes the final roster eventually. 

One position to watch is running back. Tony Pollard is the undisputed RB1, especially with the injury to Tyjae Spears. Spears is expected to miss the rest of the preseason with a high ankle sprain that he suffered during the game Saturday night. Coach Callahan is hopeful that he will be back by week 1, though. 

This injury allows the likes of Julius Chestnut and Kalel Mullings a chance at more reps as they compete for the third RB spot behind Pollard and Spears. 

Chestnut was the third RB for most of last season, with 22 carries for 102 yards throughout the season. 

Mullings is a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft who got his first NFL carries Saturday night. He was the Titans' leading rusher with seven carries for 33 yards. 

For the rest of the preseason, once Cam Ward and the other starters play their two or three drives, Titans fans’ focus will shift to the backfield. The RB3 battle will be an interesting subplot to keep an eye on.