Cam Ward’s initial reaction to Titans teammate Will Levis’ decision to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery raised some eyebrows.
The No. 1 overall draft pick first bluntly said, “I really didn’t have a reaction. I focus on Cam Ward.”
A clip of this shortened answer was posted to X, with the user calling Ward “ruthless” and adding that “many fans are upset by Ward’s lack of sympathy.”
This quick clip racked up more than 1.5 million views, but Ward had much more to say than just that — though, not even 100,000 X users saw the full-length clip.
“He [did] what was best for him, you can’t be mad at somebody for doing what’s best for him,” Ward said. “I wish him a speedy recovery, I’m hoping to see him in the building a lot more.”
Levis suffered a shoulder injury last season in Week 4, but went on to play in eight more games in the campaign.
Discomfort still lingered, though, and just before training camp began this week, Levis took the surgery route.
Though Ward was a heavy favorite to take the starting role, he and Levis were supposed to have a competition for the spot before the surgery decision.
Before selecting Ward with the top pick this year, the Titans selected Levis in 2023 with the 33rd overall pick.
Naturally, with room for just one franchise quarterback in Tennessee, the two have been pinned against each other in the eyes of the public.
But Ward continued in his presser response and eased some tension.
“He’s helped me in OTAs, just learning the install of everything. He’s a good football player,” Ward said. “When he’s ready, he’s healthy, he’ll have a chance at the field.”
Levis will miss the entire 2025 season, and is setting his sights on a 2026 return.
But with the Titans all in on Ward, Levis may not wind up with much of a role anymore in Tennessee by the time he returns.