The Titans' 2025 season is rocked as QB Will Levis is out for the year with a shoulder injury. Rookie Cameron Ward is now the starter. Read the full story.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The entire landscape of the Tennessee Titans' 2025 season was redrawn Monday with the stunning news that quarterback Will Levis will undergo season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder. The development, which the team confirmed was a result of lingering discomfort from minicamp, sidelines the expected starter and immediately elevates first-round draft pick Cameron Ward to QB1.
NFL analyst Mike Florio called the sudden shift in the Titans' quarterback situation 'a surprise,' highlighting the immense pressure now on rookie Cameron Ward to step up.
Just as anticipation for training camp hit its peak, the Titans delivered a bombshell. Will Levis, who was looking to build on a 2024 campaign that saw him throw for 2,091 yards and 13 touchdowns, will not take a single snap this season. After attempts at rest and rehabilitation failed to resolve the issue in his right shoulder, surgery became the necessary, albeit devastating, option. The team praised Levis's professionalism, but the news undeniably sends shockwaves through the organization and resets the timeline on his development as the franchise quarterback.
With challenge comes opportunity, and the opportunity is now massive for Cameron Ward. The rookie from Miami, selected in the first round to be the future, is now the present. The pressure is immense, as he'll take first-team reps when camp opens Wednesday, with veteran Brandon Allen serving as his backup. Coach Brian Callahan's primary task has instantly shifted to accelerating Ward's readiness for the NFL. The success of this transition will also depend on the rest of the 2025 draft class, including EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo and receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, who must now grow up even faster alongside their new quarterback.
While the quarterback news dominated headlines, the front office was also busy finalizing the roster elsewhere. The team officially moved on from veteran kicker Nick Folk, signing former Patriots kicker Joey Slye to take his place. This move signals a deliberate overhaul of the special teams unit. With Slye bringing a notoriously strong leg, the focus in camp will be on solidifying the entire third phase of the game, including heated competitions for the punter and returner jobs.
As the Titans prepare to open training camp on July 23, the narrative has fundamentally changed. What was meant to be a year of growth for Will Levis has become a trial by fire for Cameron Ward. All eyes will be on the rookie quarterback and how he commands the huddle, while key battles on special teams will shape the margins. The 2025 season just became one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
