Hopes are high in Nashville heading into the 2025 season after the Tennessee Titans selected former Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Fans are eager to see if Ward truly is a franchise quarterback, but will they get the chance to watch him and the other Titans starters in tonight’s preseason opener against the Buccaneers?
Are Cam Ward and other Titans’ Starters Playing Against Tampa Bay Tonight?
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Ward in action. Titans head coach Brian Callahan revealed that the young quarterback and the other Tennessee starters will be playing in tonight’s preseason opener against Tampa Bay.
“Yeah, we’re going to play,” Callahan said. “Our starters are going to play. We’re going to play in all three preseason games.”
Tennessee is coming off a rough season. They finished with a 3-14 record, the worst in the NFL, and earned the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Draft. With a lot of uncertainty across the roster, it makes sense that Callahan wants to see his starters get live, in-game reps.
While Ward is obviously the center of attention in tonight’s game, plenty of other young talent will play against the Buccaneers, hoping to earn spots on Tennessee’s final 53-man roster.
Which Young Titans Will Get Their Chance Tonight?
The Titans’ running back room holds a lot of intrigue. While veteran Tony Pollard will get the start, third-year back and former third-round pick Tyjae Spears and 2025 sixth-round pick Kalel Mullings will also see the field.
Many young players are looking to carve out a role at wide receiver. Calvin Ridley is the group veteran, and fans will be watching to see how his chemistry with Ward develops.
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Outside of Ridley, 2025 fourth-round pick Elic Aymonor and undrafted rookie free agent Xavier Restrepo are set to make their NFL debuts.
Elic Ayomanor was absolutely BUTCHERING the Buccaneers secondary today.
Don’t forget, Ayomanor gave Travis Hunter (Jaguars CB) 13 receptions, 294 yards, and 3 TD’s in college.
The Titans rookie WR is going to be a PROBLEM đŸ˜³ pic.twitter.com/XMyT0A3QoC
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) August 7, 2025
Tight end Gunnar Helm, who the team also selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is slated to make his NFL debut tonight against Tampa Bay. Along the offensive line, 2024 first-round pick JC Latham and 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski will start tonight, giving fans insight into how Ward’s protection looks heading into the 2025 season.
Defensively, there’s plenty of intrigue as well. Second-year nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat aims to improve on his rookie season. Rookies and the Titans’ 2025 second and third round picks, respectively, pass rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo and safety Kevin Winston Jr., are expected to make their NFL debuts tonight.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. While the game won’t be nationally televised, fans with NFL+ or those in local markets will be able to watch.
