NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans' 2025 training camp is underway until Aug. 31 at St. Thomas Sports Park.
The Titans selected Cameron Ward with the No. 1 pick in April after finishing 3-14 last season under first-year head coach Brian Callahan. Now Callahan is tasked with grooming Ward to be the quarterback of the future and turn things around. That process was accelerated when last year's starter, Will Levis, elected to have season-ending surgery next week. Callahan wanted somewhat of a competition for the starting job, but with Levis out of the mix, Ward will see all the first-team reps for now.
Here's a closer look at what we are watching at camp -- and 53-man roster projection:
Is rookie QB ready to take over as the starter?
Callahan is drawing on his experience from working with 2020 No. 1 pick Joe Burrow when he was the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, and, as a result, the Titans' offense will adopt some of the passing schemes and concepts that Ward executed in college. Ward demonstrated the ability to adapt to new environments with being successful at three different colleges, so they are hopeful some of that will translate to the NFL.
Ward showed flashes during OTAs and minicamps, even when defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson dialed up the heat with various blitzes. Now, the Titans hope Ward can pick up where he left off before the break.
Three players to watch
LT Dan Moore Jr.: The offensive line struggled last season, especially at right tackle -- where it allowed a league-high 29 sacks. Moore is the catalyst to the Titans' revamped offensive line. Adding him at left tackle allowed last year's starter, JC Latham, to flip to the right side. If Moore can thrive at left tackle, the Titans will have upgraded two positions with one signing.
DT Jeffery Simmons: Simmons checked into minicamp with a leaner appearance after losing 20 pounds during the first part of the offseason. His goal is to be quicker on his feet and more explosive off the football. Despite playing 16 games (the second-highest single-season total), Simmons' five sacks and nine quarterback hits were the lowest since 2019, his rookie season. Now at 305 pounds, Simmons is looking to rebound and finally pass the double-digit single-season sack total.
LB Cody Barton: Barton will wear the green dot helmet and call plays for the defense. Wilson wants "obnoxious communication" from his defense, and it will be up to Barton to achieve that. He served as a traffic cop for the defense, making all of the checks and adjustments during OTAs and minicamp, and has already become a mentor to the younger inside backers.
Key position battles
Inside linebacker: James Williams v. Cedric Gray. The two second-year players battled through tough rookie seasons. Now they'll fight for the opportunity to start next to Barton at inside linebacker.
Linebackers are always better to watch when the pads come on. Williams, a converted safety, has already shown himself to be a downhill thumper who will lay out ball carriers. Gray seems to be a more natural linebacker and has a better feel for the defense. Both players figure to be in a rotation at the very least, as they gave the Titans enough confidence not to add a veteran free agent to the mix.
Wide receiver: Veteran Calvin Ridley and rookies Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor are all virtual locks to make the roster. After them, it's a bit of a mystery. Veteran free agent addition Tyler Lockett will likely earn the start at slot, but Dike offers a vertical threat there. Then there's Mason Kinsey and undrafted free agent Xavier Restrepo, and adding Van Jefferson to the mix complicated things even further.
Jefferson should compete with Ayomanor and Bryce Oliver for the X position. Veteran James Proche II showed he has something to offer during minicamp as well. The group won't draw much attention as far as national ranks are concerned, but it'll be an intense competition for the final three or four roster spots.
Tight end: Chig Okonkwo is the incumbent starter. Although his numbers over the last two seasons (52 receptions for 479 yards and two touchdowns last season/54 receptions for 529 yards and a touchdown in 2023) have been very similar, Okonwko's game-to-game performance has been inconsistent. Okonkwo spent time working out with Ward in Miami, so maybe their familiarity can yield better results.
Josh Whyle played 32% of the snaps last season but remains in the mix for a complementary role to Okonkwo. Don't forget about rookie Gunnar Helm, who seemed to develop into a go-to target for Ward during minicamp. If the Titans keep a fourth tight end, second-year player David Martin-Robinson is an athletic option that tight end coach Luke Stocker is very fond of.
Keep an eye on: Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
The development of the 2024 fifth-round pick at cornerback was enough to make general manager Mike Borgonzi release Chidobe Awuzie, who was one of last year's big free-agent additions.
While Brownlee starts at one of the spots, the opposite cornerback spot is uncertain. L'Jarius Sneed figures to be the starter, but a quad injury limited him to four games last season and kept him out of OTAs and minicamp. Sneed said he's fully recovered from the injury, but if he has any setbacks, Darrell Baker Jr. could be an option to fill in like he did during the 2024 season. Baker was sidelined during minicamp due to a shoulder injury.
53-man roster projection
Offense
QB: Cameron Ward, Brandon Allen
RB: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Kalel Mullings
TE: Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, Gunnar Helm, David Martin-Robinson
WR: Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Bryce Oliver, Treylon Burks
OL: Dan Moore Jr., Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Kevin Zeitler, JC Latham, Corey Levin, Jackson Slater, Jaelyn Duncan, John Ojukwu
Defense
DL: Sebastian Joseph-Day, Jeffery Simmons, T'Vondre Sweat, Keondre Coburn, James Lynch
LB: Arden Key, Dre'Mont Jones, Oluwafemi Oladejo, Jaylen Harrell, Lorenzo Carter, Cody Barton, Otis Reese IV, James Williams, Cedric Gray
DB: L'Jarius Sneed, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Darrell Baker Jr., Roger McCreary, Marcus Harris, Jermari Harris, Amani Hooker, Xavier Woods, Kevin Winston Jr., Mike Brown
Specialist
K Joey Slye, P Johnny Hekker, LS Morgan Cox