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Titans' Cam Ward Draws Wild Comparison to Patrick Mahomes

The Tennessee Titans quarterback is landing some high expectations before setting foot on-field.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during minicamp at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during minicamp at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Leading up to the start of Cam Ward's rookie campaign with the Tennessee Titans, there's been a wide variety of projections and expectations placed on the first-overall pick, and what he could bring to the table not only during his first season in the mix, but for the future of his NFL career.

Among the mix of opinions swaying in both directions on Ward, one of the strongest takes surrounding what the Titans could have in their rookie quarterback comes from NFL analyst and ex-executive, Louis Riddick.

During an interview on 104.5 The Zone's The Buck Reising Show, Riddick doubled down on one of his hot takes dished out ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft earlier this offseason, as he sees a ton of similarities between Ward and one of the best quarterbacks in recent league history, Patrick Mahomes.

“Yeah, no, I think from a stylistic standpoint, Cam has a lot of things that look very similar to the way Patrick [Mahomes] likes to play the game," Riddick said. "Patrick always described it as being like he's playing baseball, like he's just throwing the ball at first base. And that's why his feet sometimes are parallel. The ball sometimes comes out sidearm, three-quarter sidearm. It's a little unorthodox as far as how quarterback traditionally was played."

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws during mandatory Titans Minicamp at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws during mandatory Titans Minicamp at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, June 10, 2025. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"Well, Cam Ward does the same thing," he continued. "He can do the same types of things. He has very similar arm horsepower to Patrick. He just does. I've seen it up close in person, both of them, so I know. So I'm speaking from experience.”

It's nothing short of a confident nod towards the first-overall pick, but there's certainly a case to be made that stylistically, there are a few shades of Mahomes in Ward's game that could represent a bit of his arm talent and playmaking ability.

Not to say that Ward will be on track to have a career similar to the Chiefs' three-time Super Bowl winner, but it's a great comparison to land from Riddick before Week One of the NFL season, and perhaps another reason for Titans fans to be optimistic for the future.

Ward will get his rookie campaign going in the coming weeks following a break from action around the league, with training camp set to ensue in late July, followed by August's preseason. His first NFL start should come September 7th against the Denver Broncos.

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