The Tennessee Titans announced Wednesday that they have signed quarterback Cam Ward, the 2025 NFL Draft’s top pick, to his rookie contract.
Ward’s deal is for four years with an option for a fifth and is worth $48.7 million, per the NFL’s 2025 rookie scale, according to Spotrac.com.
The 6-foot-2, 219-pound former Miami star turned heads at Incarnate Word and Washington State, before grabbing the national spotlight in his lone season in South Beach.
Advertisement
He finished the 2024 season as the Davey O’Brien Award winner and was Miami’s first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2002. He passed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, both Hurricanes single-season records, and led Miami (10-3) to its first 10-win season since 2017.
He also broke former Houston QB Case Keenum’s Division I record for career passing touchdowns (155) with 158 scores.
Through much of the draft process, Ward was compared to former Colorado and current Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, as most pundits had them as the top two prospects at their position in this year’s class.
Sanders fell to the fifth round, however, and due to his draft position, Sanders’ rookie deal is worth only $4.6 million, less than a tenth of what Ward is set to receive.
The NFL’s rookie wage scale has made the process of signing draft picks relatively routine for franchises. There are, however, still some holdouts.
Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart, for example, is currently not participating in his team’s offseason activities, reportedly due to issues with the language in his contract.
(Photo: Carly Mackler / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Knicks fans inside, outside Madison Square Garden stunned by Game 1 collapse
NEW YORK — The silence inside Madison Square Garden was inescapable.It will endure as long as this night haunts the New York Knicks and their battered fan base. Thousands of people all in one place, under one roof, barely able to utter a word. It was a wake in real time for a loss that felt so unexpected and so painful it could only be met by that ineffable feeling of a broken heart, tongues tied by fatigue and incredulity.AdvertisementThe stairways and escalators of MSG, often a vibrant afterparty following wins, were quiet, too. They are as good a barometer of the franchise as any record, or any check-in on the standings. When the Knicks win, there is pure joy, some untoward words, and a waft of weed. Wednesday night, there was nothing more than a few loose words tumbling […]
Bears OTA takeaways: A fiery Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams’ footwork and more
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ben Johnson didn’t like where tight end Cole Kmet lined up during a drill inside the Walter Payton Center on Wednesday. So the Chicago Bears head coach let his veteran hear it during practice.“It’s the way we’re coaching every position right now,” Johnson said when asked about the play from organized team activities. “I think particularly on offense from me, and then on defense with (coordinator Dennis Allen), every position’s heard it the same way.Advertisement“And we’re just communicating. It’s loud in there. You know that. So sometimes your voice gets a little bit elevated at times, and we’re just communicating that it’s not good enough and we need a little bit better.”Johnson, though, joined the Bears with a fiery reputation for practice. This was just an early glimpse in the middle of May for those who […]
Will Buxton, known for F1 and ‘Drive to Survive,’ embraces new role as Fox’s Indy 500 voice
INDIANAPOLIS — When millions of viewers tune in for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, the first one broadcast by Fox Sports, they might be surprised by a familiar face.Wait … is that the “Drive to Survive” guy?Will Buxton, one of the most prominent media figures in Formula One over the past decade, made a shocking decision: To leave his F1 analyst duties and become the play-by-play voice of Fox’s IndyCar broadcasts.AdvertisementMany of IndyCar’s competitors, who have poured their lives into an attention-starved series, couldn’t be more thrilled.“He’s as big of a celebrity as some of the drivers,” said 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi, who formerly raced in F1. “When I would go to F1 races, people would be waiting outside hotels for him and his signature.“He’s so passionate about motorsports, he’s so knowledgeable and he cares deeply. This isn’t a job […]
J.J. McCarthy, roster health and other ingredients key to Vikings success in 2025
Bruce Buffer voice: It’s … tiiiiiiimmmmme! Next week, for the first time since last fall, quarterback J.J. McCarthy will work out in a competitive environment. The Minnesota Vikings will begin organized team activities on Wednesday. They’ll continue for several weeks before three days of mandatory minicamp beginning June 10.AdvertisementThis will be the first opportunity to assess the roster ahead of the 2025 season. In an attempt to set the stage, here are five key ingredients for the Vikings to put together a successful season that matches fans’ high hopes:McCarthy’s play will be massiveNot too long ago, I asked a colleague for the top five key ingredients to a winning season in Minnesota. Their answer: “McCarthy’s knee, McCarthy’s arm, McCarthy’s feet, McCarthy’s eyes and McCarthy’s mind.” And that’s not just hyperbole.Elite quarterback play remains the most important requirement in achieving sustained success. […]
Confessions of ESPN’s worst ‘Around the Horn’ participant of all time
I own the distinction of being the least successful panelist to ever appear on “Around the Horn,” ESPN’s longtime roundtable debate show.There have been 60 “Around the Horn” panelists. Of the group, 53 won an episode at least once, including my The Athletic colleague Dianna Russini, Mark Cuban and Lil Wayne.AdvertisementSeven of us were winless. But no one ever appeared more times without a win than I did.For those unfamiliar with “Around the Horn,” its format is a group discussion of the day’s top sports news, featuring a host — for the last 21 years, Tony Reali — and four sports pundit panelists. Reali awards points for good arguments, and the top point-earner of each episode earns that day’s win.When “Around the Horn” completes its final show Friday, after 23 years and 4,953 episodes, my legacy of futility will be […]
Silver: Remembering Jim Irsay, a sweet, generous soul and steely steward of the sport
The black luxury bus pulled up to the front entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel Austin at twilight, and when Jim Irsay disembarked — cane in hand, flustered expression on his weathered face — something seemed a little off. He lurched forward, gave me a warm greeting and said he’d see me in a bit; he and his all-star band of decorated rock ‘n’ rollers would spend this cool night in December 2021 at the famed Moody Theater, rehearsing for a gala the following evening, and I’d been invited into the inner circle.AdvertisementStill, it had almost seemed like Irsay was startled by my presence. Later, from one of his confidantes, I learned what was up: The Indianapolis Colts owner’s legs had stiffened during the drive, and at that moment, walking had been a struggle. “He shouldn’t have seen me like […]
Related
Knicks fans inside, outside Madison Square Garden stunned by Game 1 collapse
NEW YORK — The silence inside Madison Square Garden was inescapable.It will endure as long as this night haunts the New York Knicks and their battered fan base. Thousands of people all in one place, under one roof, barely able to utter a word. It was a wake in real time for a loss that felt so unexpected and so painful it could only be met by that ineffable feeling of a broken heart, tongues tied by fatigue and incredulity.AdvertisementThe stairways and escalators of MSG, often a vibrant afterparty following wins, were quiet, too. They are as good a barometer of the franchise as any record, or any check-in on the standings. When the Knicks win, there is pure joy, some untoward words, and a waft of weed. Wednesday night, there was nothing more than a few loose words tumbling […]
Bears OTA takeaways: A fiery Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams’ footwork and more
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ben Johnson didn’t like where tight end Cole Kmet lined up during a drill inside the Walter Payton Center on Wednesday. So the Chicago Bears head coach let his veteran hear it during practice.“It’s the way we’re coaching every position right now,” Johnson said when asked about the play from organized team activities. “I think particularly on offense from me, and then on defense with (coordinator Dennis Allen), every position’s heard it the same way.Advertisement“And we’re just communicating. It’s loud in there. You know that. So sometimes your voice gets a little bit elevated at times, and we’re just communicating that it’s not good enough and we need a little bit better.”Johnson, though, joined the Bears with a fiery reputation for practice. This was just an early glimpse in the middle of May for those who […]
Will Buxton, known for F1 and ‘Drive to Survive,’ embraces new role as Fox’s Indy 500 voice
INDIANAPOLIS — When millions of viewers tune in for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, the first one broadcast by Fox Sports, they might be surprised by a familiar face.Wait … is that the “Drive to Survive” guy?Will Buxton, one of the most prominent media figures in Formula One over the past decade, made a shocking decision: To leave his F1 analyst duties and become the play-by-play voice of Fox’s IndyCar broadcasts.AdvertisementMany of IndyCar’s competitors, who have poured their lives into an attention-starved series, couldn’t be more thrilled.“He’s as big of a celebrity as some of the drivers,” said 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi, who formerly raced in F1. “When I would go to F1 races, people would be waiting outside hotels for him and his signature.“He’s so passionate about motorsports, he’s so knowledgeable and he cares deeply. This isn’t a job […]
J.J. McCarthy, roster health and other ingredients key to Vikings success in 2025
Bruce Buffer voice: It’s … tiiiiiiimmmmme! Next week, for the first time since last fall, quarterback J.J. McCarthy will work out in a competitive environment. The Minnesota Vikings will begin organized team activities on Wednesday. They’ll continue for several weeks before three days of mandatory minicamp beginning June 10.AdvertisementThis will be the first opportunity to assess the roster ahead of the 2025 season. In an attempt to set the stage, here are five key ingredients for the Vikings to put together a successful season that matches fans’ high hopes:McCarthy’s play will be massiveNot too long ago, I asked a colleague for the top five key ingredients to a winning season in Minnesota. Their answer: “McCarthy’s knee, McCarthy’s arm, McCarthy’s feet, McCarthy’s eyes and McCarthy’s mind.” And that’s not just hyperbole.Elite quarterback play remains the most important requirement in achieving sustained success. […]
Confessions of ESPN’s worst ‘Around the Horn’ participant of all time
I own the distinction of being the least successful panelist to ever appear on “Around the Horn,” ESPN’s longtime roundtable debate show.There have been 60 “Around the Horn” panelists. Of the group, 53 won an episode at least once, including my The Athletic colleague Dianna Russini, Mark Cuban and Lil Wayne.AdvertisementSeven of us were winless. But no one ever appeared more times without a win than I did.For those unfamiliar with “Around the Horn,” its format is a group discussion of the day’s top sports news, featuring a host — for the last 21 years, Tony Reali — and four sports pundit panelists. Reali awards points for good arguments, and the top point-earner of each episode earns that day’s win.When “Around the Horn” completes its final show Friday, after 23 years and 4,953 episodes, my legacy of futility will be […]
Silver: Remembering Jim Irsay, a sweet, generous soul and steely steward of the sport
The black luxury bus pulled up to the front entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel Austin at twilight, and when Jim Irsay disembarked — cane in hand, flustered expression on his weathered face — something seemed a little off. He lurched forward, gave me a warm greeting and said he’d see me in a bit; he and his all-star band of decorated rock ‘n’ rollers would spend this cool night in December 2021 at the famed Moody Theater, rehearsing for a gala the following evening, and I’d been invited into the inner circle.AdvertisementStill, it had almost seemed like Irsay was startled by my presence. Later, from one of his confidantes, I learned what was up: The Indianapolis Colts owner’s legs had stiffened during the drive, and at that moment, walking had been a struggle. “He shouldn’t have seen me like […]
Be the first to leave a comment