When the 1-11 Tennessee Titans head to Cleveland to take on the 3-9 Browns this Sunday, it won’t be playoff positioning or division drama that draws attention - it’ll be the showdown between two rookie quarterbacks whose journeys to this point couldn’t be more different: Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.
This is a matchup that quietly carries long-term intrigue. Ward was the first overall pick in the draft, a quarterback with all the physical tools and high expectations to match.
Sanders? He endured one of the most dramatic slides in recent draft memory, falling all the way to the fifth round before the Browns stopped the drop at pick No.
- But now, both rookies are starting, both are trying to find their footing, and both will be on the same field for the first time as pros.
From Draft Room to NFL Reality
Ward and Sanders actually go back a bit - they trained together during the pre-draft process and built a friendship along the way. But that camaraderie is on pause this week.
Sunday’s game is less about nostalgia and more about proving ground. And while neither quarterback is hyping up the head-to-head, the comparisons are inevitable.
Ward walked into Tennessee as the presumed starter and was given the keys from Day 1. But it’s been a rough ride.
The Titans have the worst record in the league, and Ward’s rookie year has been defined more by growing pains than highlight reels. Through 12 games, he’s thrown just seven touchdowns, completed under 60% of his passes, and has taken a punishing 48 sacks - losing a staggering 362 yards in the process.
If he stays on this trajectory, he’s on pace to set the NFL record for most sack yardage lost in a single season. And with Myles Garrett lining up across from him this week, that number could climb fast.
Still, it hasn’t been all bad. Ward has shown flashes - moments where you see why Tennessee made him the first pick. But consistency has been elusive, and the Titans are still searching for answers.
Sanders’ Steady Climb
Sanders, meanwhile, had to wait his turn in Cleveland. He started the season buried on the depth chart behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was drafted two rounds earlier. But when Flacco was traded and Gabriel struggled before eventually going down with an injury, Sanders finally got his shot.
His debut was rough - just 4-of-16 passing against Baltimore - but he bounced back the following week against Las Vegas, becoming the first Browns quarterback in 30 years to win his first career start. That’s not just a fun stat - it’s a testament to how rare it’s been for Cleveland to find success under center, especially with a rookie.
Now Sanders is in the spotlight, and like Ward, he’s trying to block out the noise and focus on the task at hand.
Mutual Respect, Competitive Fire
Both quarterbacks have made it clear they’re not viewing this as a personal duel.
“Oh, nah, I got to go against the Cleveland defense,” Ward said when asked about facing Sanders. “It’s more of what can I do for my team to help us accomplish our goal and win the game.”
Sanders echoed that same sentiment: “I think it’s nothing extra within myself. It’s just another week, another opponent.
There’s a lot of great quarterbacks we play against. I wouldn’t say this adds anything.”
But let’s be honest - when two young quarterbacks with shared history and something to prove meet on the field, there’s always a little extra juice. They know the comparisons are coming, and they’re embracing it in their own way.
“I think both of us will be great quarterbacks when it’s all said and done,” Ward said. “We both have the ability to learn different offenses, see the game the right way, and bring people together. That’s what makes us special.”
Sanders added: “We’ve always been competitive - from college to the pre-draft process. We both want to be great. I think it’s going to be exciting for people to see what we’re capable of when we’re playing at a high level.”
Injury Watch
The Titans are dealing with some key injuries heading into Sunday. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles) and center Lloyd Cushenberry (foot) were held out of Wednesday’s practice. Several veterans were given rest days, including Jeffery Simmons, Jihad Ward, Chig Okonkwo, Kevin Zeitler, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Tony Pollard.
Receiver Chimere Dike (quadriceps) was limited, while Amani Hooker (ribs), Kendell Brooks (concussion), and Shy Tuttle (concussion) were all full participants.
Xavier Restrepo, who’s on the practice squad, wasn’t seen during the open portion of practice due to an ankle injury, but he doesn’t appear on the official injury report.
The Bigger Picture
This game won’t change the playoff picture, but it could shape how we view these two quarterbacks moving forward. Ward is trying to show he can weather the storm and grow into the franchise leader Tennessee hoped for. Sanders is trying to prove that his draft slide was a mistake and that he belongs among the league’s rising young passers.
It’s not a marquee matchup by record, but for two rookies trying to carve out their place in the league, it’s a significant chapter.