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NFL Sends Message to Titans, Cam Ward With Schedule Release

The NFL made it clear that the Tennessee Titans don't quite yet have primetime appeal despite the addition of rookie quarterback Cam Ward.
Zach Dimmitt|
Cam Ward fields questions after being introduced as the Tennessee Titans first-round pick and number one overall pick n the NFL Draft at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, April 25, 2025. Mandatory Credit: The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Cam Ward fields questions after being introduced as the Tennessee Titans first-round pick and number one overall pick n the NFL Draft at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, April 25, 2025. Mandatory Credit: The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | The Tennessean-Imagn Images

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The No. 1 overall pick at quarterback apparently isn't enough intrigue for the NFL to give the Tennessee Titans a chance to perform in the spotlight next season.

The Titans released their full 2025 regular season schedule but the slate does not include any primetime games. Of course, this could change during the season if the league decides to flex out a particular matchup in favor for one of Tennessee's, but as things stand, the league is sending a message to the Titans that rookie quarterback Cam Ward's current league-wide appeal is not enough to warrant a primetime spot.

Even during the 2025 NFL Draft, a ton of media attention was focused elsewhere — like the draft slide of Shedeur Sanders — instead of Ward going No. 1 overall. Sure, the Titans selecting Ward became a no-doubter in the final weeks leading up to the draft, potentially minimizing some of the media hype.

However, the same could be said for Caleb Williams last offseason before the Chicago Bears unsurprisingly selected him with the No. 1 pick. Yet, he still received more attention than Ward did during their respective drafts.

As recently as last season, the NFL made it clear they have no issue with showing off the league's top overall pick in primetime. Williams and the Bears were given a primetime slot as early as Week 2 on the road against the Houston Texans for Sunday Night Football before heading to London to play in the international spotlight against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Bears also faced the Detroit Lions on the road for Thanksgiving, the league's biggest spotlight during the regular season.

If that wasn't enough, Chicago then played on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15 before making another primetime appearance the day after Christmas on Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.

Williams certainly had some undeniable appeal last season as a rookie but the Bears were not a talented enough team to warrant five primetime matchups when including the London game.

It's clear the NFL doesn't feel the same about Ward or the Titans — at least not yet.

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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