Cam Ward is about to do two years of NFL service without ever getting a primetime feature. As a former first overall draft pick, that makes him the first to do so since the 80’s.
This fall will be Cam Ward’s second NFL season. If he manages to stay healthy all year, he’ll make his 34th start. And that means, thanks to the NFL’s schedule makers passing over his Titans for a second consecutive year, he won’t make his primetime debut until at least his 35th career start.
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Perhaps Tennessee goes full 2025 New England Patriots, become the fresh faces of the league overnight, and get flexed into primetime down the stretch. But any team can do that in-season; this is about what the league decides it wants to see before the bullets start flying.
If you’re wondering if a first overall QB has ever gone two seasons into his career without
Cam Ward is first 1st overall QB to go two seasons without primetime debut since Testaverde
1993: Drew Bledsoe, New England Patriots
2007: JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders
2025: Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans