When Drake Maye punched his ticket to Super Bowl 60, the AFC Pro Bowl roster had a vacancy at quarterback. The NFL filled it with Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders, not Tennessee Titans’ Cam Ward - and yes, that stirred up some debate.
But here’s the thing: Ward was dealing with an injury late in the season, and this is the Pro Bowl we’re talking about - a fan-driven event. Still, it opens the door for a deeper dive into both of their rookie campaigns, and how each young QB fared in their first taste of the NFL spotlight.
Cam Ward: A Rocky Ride with Glimpses of Promise
Let’s start with Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was thrown into the fire from day one, starting every game for a Titans squad that never quite found its rhythm. Tennessee stumbled to a 3-14 finish, but Ward managed to put up 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions - solid numbers considering the chaos around him.
Ward’s arm talent was never in question, and he showed real flashes of why the Titans took him first overall. He broke Marcus Mariota’s franchise rookie passing record, a bright spot in an otherwise tough season. And down the stretch, he started to clean things up - stringing together a turnover-free stretch through the air, including a strong two-touchdown performance in a win over the Chiefs.
But ball security was a lingering issue. Ward fumbled 11 times and lost seven of them - a number that tells you he was under constant pressure and still adjusting to the speed of the pro game.
His rookie season ended on a sour note with a right shoulder injury in the finale, but there’s no denying the upside. Ward got the reps, took the lumps, and came out with experience that could pay off in Year 2.
Shedeur Sanders: Late Start, Big Moment
Then there’s Shedeur Sanders, who didn’t take over as Cleveland’s starter until late in the season. He started seven games, and the Browns went 3-4 in those contests.
His numbers - 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 56.6% completion rate - don’t jump off the page. His QBR?
Just 18.9. But context matters.
Sanders had one game that turned heads - and it came against none other than Cam Ward’s Titans. On December 7, Sanders lit up Tennessee for 364 passing yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing score for good measure. It was the kind of performance that makes you pause and say, “Okay, there’s something here.”
That game showed the ceiling with Sanders. He’s not as polished yet, and he’s still adjusting to NFL speed and defenses, but the tools are there. He stepped into a tough situation late in the year and showed enough to earn more looks moving forward - and now, a Pro Bowl nod to boot.
The Verdict: Two Paths, One Goal
Both quarterbacks are still very much in the developmental phase, but they’ve earned their place in the conversation. Ward had the volume, the starts, and the franchise expectations.
Sanders had the late-season spark and now the Pro Bowl spotlight. Different roads, same destination - trying to establish themselves as long-term starters in this league.
The Pro Bowl selection may have sparked debate, but it doesn’t change the fact that both rookies showed enough in Year 1 to keep the door open. And in today’s NFL, where patience with young quarterbacks is often in short supply, that’s a win in itself.