Cam Ward entered the NFL with the arm talent and improvisational ability that made comparisons with Patrick Mahomes easy to understand. Jason Whitlock thinks those comparisons may now be doing the Tennessee Titans quarterback more harm than good.
Whitlock argued that Ward’s best path in Year 2 is not chasing spectacular off-script plays. Instead, he believes the 2025 No. 1 overall pick needs to play more like Brock Purdy, take easier throws, and get more comfortable operating within structure.
Why Jason Whitlock Wants Cam Ward To Play More Like Brock Purdy
“If Cam Ward is going to make it in the NFL, he will have to stop trying to be Patrick Mahomes and adopt more of Brock Purdy’s game instead,” Whitlockwrote on X.
During the accompanying discussion, Whitlock agreed with former Titans scouting director Blake Beddingfield’s recent argument that Tennessee needs Ward to become more of a game manager.
“The problem with Cam is he does not paint within the numbers enough,” Whitlock said. “Take the dump down. Take the check down. Take the eight-yard hitch.”
Whitlock also criticized Tennessee’s decision to build around Ward as a franchise quarterback, eventually saying, “Unfortunately, I just don’t think Cam’s very good.”
That is considerably harsher than the position Tennessee has taken.
Head coach Robert Saleh has praised Ward since arriving, while offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has spent the offseason reshaping the offense around the second-year quarterback.
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Still, Ward’spreseason opener gave critics material. He completed five of 12 passes for 57 yards against the San Francisco 49ers. Tennessee scored on a 95-yard opening drive, but Ward missed several available throws afterward.
Cam Ward Faces Major Year 2 Test With Titans
Ward’s rookie season was uneven. He started all 17 games and threw for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 59.8% of his passes. Tennessee finished 3-14 for the second consecutive season.
PFN’sQB Impact metric reflected those struggles. Ward finished 2025 with a 61.6 QB Impact score, ranking 38th among qualifying quarterbacks.
There were encouraging signs late. Ward threw 10 touchdown passes against only one interception over his final nine games, showing better command before a shoulder injury ended his season in Week 18.
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Tennessee has also invested heavily around him. The Titans signed Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency and selected Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate fourth overall in April. That came one year after Tennessee rejected trade interest for the No. 1 pick before selecting Ward.
Whitlock believes the next step is less about unlocking another Mahomes and more about simplifying Ward’s job. Purdy is his preferred model because of timing, accuracy, and willingness to take what’s on the table.
Ward was drafted because Tennessee believed his creativity could become a franchise-changing weapon. Whitlock’s warning is that creativity only works if the routine plays arrive with it.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.