As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, comparisons between Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Patrick Mahomes aren’t coming from every which way. The hype surrounding Ward continues to grow — and so do the takes. Some evaluators see a special talent capable of rising draft boards, while others believe the Mahomes comparisons are way out of line.
On a recent episode of ESPN’s “Get Up,” writer and “This Is Football” host Kevin Clark became one of the many making a gutsy statement about Ward’s potential. But former NFL cornerback and analyst Domonique Foxworth wasn’t having it — and he made sure to call it out in real time, with just the right amount of sarcasm and skepticism.
NFL Analyst Shreds Viral Cam Ward-Mahomes Comparison
It started with a proclamation from Clark: “As a prospect, Cam Ward is the closest thing to Patrick Mahomes since Patrick Mahomes.” That statement caught Foxworth off guard — and he wasn’t about to let it go.
“You tried to slip in that ‘as a prospect’ line …” Foxworth said. “The problem with making the Patrick Mahomes comparison is you know what that conjures in our minds.”
Foxworth, who spent six years in the league defending NFL quarterbacks, wasn’t necessarily saying Ward doesn’t have talent. But like many former players, he took issue with how quickly Mahomes’ name is thrown around (as it was with Caleb Williams in 2024)— especially when it’s used to describe a player who has yet to prove himself on an NFL field.
“I know Patrick Mahomes as a prospect wasn’t a number one overall pick,” he continued. “However, when you start saying that name, we have expectations of being one of the greatest quarterbacks we’ve ever seen.”
What kind of player could Cam Ward become in the NFL? 👀
"As a prospect, [Cam Ward] is the closest thing to Patrick Mahomes since Patrick Mahomes." 😳 pic.twitter.com/2mhXNvdOGW
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 11, 2025
That’s the danger of the Mahomes comparison — it raises the bar to almost unreachable levels. Ward has plenty of traits that the teams covet: Strong arm, mobility, and off-platform throws. But that’s a high bar for any young quarterback, no matter how exciting his tape looks.
“I think assuming that it’s all going to translate for every single player is wild,” Foxworth added. “But being able to somehow crowbar Patrick Mahomes in the proceedings, I have to salute you, sir. So proud. So impressed.”
But Clark isn’t the only analyst making the Mahomes-Ward analogy.
Why Ward’s QB Coach Sees Shades of Mahomes in His Game
Most recently, Ward’s longtime private quarterbacks coach said on “The Rich Eisen Show” that he sees similarities in his client’s playing style to the three-time Super Bowl MVP.
“I’m not saying this kid is Patrick Mahomes,” Colbert said. “But his playstyle is very Mahomes-like.” Colbert, founder of Select QB Athletics in Houston, Texas, has coached Ward (and first-round hopeful Shedeur Sanders) for nearly five years.
“It’s how they look — the build, the way they throw from different arm angles, and all the off-platform plays. Everything Pat does, Cam does.”
Colbert also pointed to Ward’s multi-sport background as another common thread. “The baseball background that Cam has, Patrick Mahomes has,” he noted. Ward, like Mahomes, was a standout athlete in high school — excelling not just on the football field but on the basketball court. He was a two-time all-district offensive MVP at Columbia High School in Texas, bringing well-rounded athleticism that often translates to quarterback creativity.
Ward sees the similarities himself. “(Ward) watches Patrick Mahomes, so he sees that,” Colbert said. “He’s like, ‘Okay, shoot, I do the same stuff.’ So that’s my comparison … Of course, Caleb Williams does a lot of that stuff as well, but my comparison would be Patrick Mahomes.”
While the Mahomes comparisons may astound some, Colbert’s breakdown isn’t from a place of hype — it’s rooted in years of hands-on development. From throwing mechanics to off-platform creativity and even a shared multi-sport pedigree, the parallels are enough to spark intrigue. Whether Ward reaches that level remains to be seen, but the foundation is there, and the belief from those closest to him seems genuine.