Brian Callahan Refuses to Name Cam Ward Starter as Another Titans QB Impresses HC

OTA mornings in Nashville have that familiar buzz, but this year the spotlight’s squarely on the quarterback room. Will Levis is back for year three after a tough 2-10 stretch last season, and the questions are swirling. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi kept it real, saying, “He’s a young quarterback. He’s had some good moments and like any other young quarterback, they’re continuing to develop.” You can tell the team’s rooting for him.

But let’s not kid ourselves, it’s unlikely he’s going to start the whole season for the Titans this year. Enter Cam Ward, a talented quarterback from Miami. The Titans were projected to draft Ward at No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL draft, which they eventually did last month. Ward’s already turning heads with his poise and leadership, and folks around the league aren’t shy about their praise.

But ever since the draft, everyone’s speculating about who will be the QB1 in Tennessee. Who will be Brian Callahan’s trusted leader in the 2025 season? If you’re thinking that the head coach is on board to announce the QB1 during the OTAs, think again. Because the HC doesn’t even believe in QB1 or QB2 stuff. In fact, the Titans are currently rotating their quarterbacks, including Cam Ward and all the other positions.

“As far as quarterback and quarterback reps and how that’s all going to work is, I’m not going to sit up here and give you guys weekly and daily updates as to who takes reps and when,” Callahan said. “Right now, there’s a whole lot of rotation going on at all positions. So there’s guys that you might see out there with the ‘ones’ or with the ‘twos’ — it’s really irrelevant at this point in time. All guys are rotating.” Translation?

“We have a plan for the quarterbacks”

HC Brian Callahan explains how the reps will go for phase 3 this week with QBSs. pic.twitter.com/M9NzLf98FY

— Jill Jelnick (@JillJelnick) May 28, 2025

You’ll see Will Levis taking reps today, and then you’ll see Cam Ward taking the reps tomorrow. Nothing’s certain. The head coach seems to have plans for the QBs, and he’s ready to rotate them ahead of the 2025 season. For the time being, who’s QB1, QB2, or QB3, that doesn’t really matter for the Titans. They’re rotating ’em and teaching them to make them ready before going to the training camp. “There’s a plan in place for all the quarterbacks,” Callahan went on.

“So, just so we don’t have to do this every day, I’ll save you guys the questioning and just understand that there’s a time and a place for the guys to rotate, and that’ll be what it is. Whoever’s first, or second, or third doesn’t really matter at this point.” At this point, it seems certain that Levis and Ward will compete for the starting role. The odds are in favor of Ward. But don’t think it’s confirmed. Because Callahn confirmed that Levis has had a good offseason.

Brian Callahan is pleased with the work Will Levis has put in

Will Levis had a terrible season in 2024, which he probably wants to reset from his career. Started with 0-3 during the first three weeks of the season, and by the time he wrapped up his sophomore season in Tennessee, he was already down to 2-10. Fans called him out as the worst quarterback in the NFL, analysts scrutinized him, and the head coach was heard saying, “What the f——— are you doing?” during one of the games.

It was enough to sum up the kind of season that Levis had. But let bygones be bygones as the third-year quarterback is gearing up to start the 2025 campaign. And get this, Coach Callahan seems pretty impressed with his quarterback in the offseason. “I’ve seen a lot of improvement. I really have, ” Callahan said about Levis.

“His ability to control the football has improved. I’ve been really pleased with the work that he’s put in… is. He understands what you’re competing for every day in that position to keep your job, and I’ve been happy with it. I’ve been pleased with this, his production, and his work so far.” Levis’s last season was marred by inconsistency and injuries. The guy started 12 games and had just 2,091 yards with a completion rate of 63.1 and racked up 13 passing touchdowns.

With Cam Ward in the building now, Levis will have to compete against him to earn the starting role. Sure, Callahan and Co. are currently rotating their quarterbacks. But entering mandatory training camps and the preseason, the Titans will name their QB1.

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