The Titans’ interest in Cam Ward was so strong that people stopped contemplating the No.1 overall pick. Instead, the talk of the town was which number Ward was going to wear in Tennessee. Ward used to wear No.7 in high school. But after he arrived in Washington State, he couldn’t get No.1 as the Cougars had just retired it in honor of Mel Hein. So, Ward eventually picked No. 1 and went on to have a sensational college career, finishing with 158 TDs. Now, considering the Titans had also retired No.1 in honor of Warren Moon. The question was, would he let Ward wear it when the Titans eventually picked him? Well, after he had already teased his intention, Moon didn’t hesitate to make a sacrifice.

“I’m thinking about it,” Moon once told Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. But he needed time before coming to a decision. It’s not like jersey numbers haven’t been unretired in the NFL before. The latest instance came last year when the Giants’ Hall of Famer Ray Flaherty’s family allowed Malik Nabers to wear his preferred No.1. Then, going back a few years, Broncos legendary QB Frank Tripucka also permitted Peyton Manning to wear his No.18 in Denver. So, there have been a few expectations.

Now, following those previous examples, Moon did the same. After he touched down in Nashville to give his introductory press conference, Moon had a pleasant surprise. He slowly made his way into the Titans’ practice facility, walked up to Ward, and handed over his No.1 jersey. “My Houston Oilers jersey will probably never be worn again. I hope it won’t. But the Tennessee Titans jersey is going to be worn by Cam, and Cam will be starting a new freshness in this organization. To kind of revitalize it and get it back to where it was a number of years ago,” Moon mused. Even Ward couldn’t be more grateful after Moon decided to trust him with his No.1 jersey.

“I’m excited that Mr. Moon was able to bless me with giving this number,” Ward said after receiving his No.1 shirt. Ward also promised Moon that he would try to give his best to honor his No.1 jersey. “I’m trying to get up to his level one day. It might take some time. But I’ll get there eventually. For me to be the same number as him is an honor.” Honestly, it would take some effort from Ward to match Moon’s legacy for the Oilers.

One Offensive Player of the Year, nine Pro Bowls, two First Team All-Pros, a two-time passing year, a TD leader, and a Hall of Fame nod. Moon was one of the greatest undrafted free agents the NFL had ever witnessed. Having taken up his number, the pressure will be on Ward to deliver from day 1. But the question is, will he really be a week 1 starter for the Titans?

Brian Callahan gives his verdict on starting Cam Ward

The Titans are clearly betting on a rookie to turn around their franchise after a dreadful 3-14 campaign. Last season, the Titans split the QB position between now-Steelers QB Mason Rudolph and Will Levis. Rudolph ranked 26th in PFSN’s QB metric with a 69 grade. Meanwhile, Levis finished even lower, 34th with a 61.9 rating. So, given their dismal QB room, the Titans saw something in Ward. After he was announced as their No.1 pick, their head coach Brian Callahan said, “Cam Ward has a natural ability to feel space. He is an incredibly quick processor. He has size and athleticism. But the intangible part is what separated it for us. His work ethic is top-notch.”

Even though Callahan is mesmerized by his new rookie QB. He may not have made his most anticipated decision, whether or not he will be a week 1 starter. Callahan quipped, “We’ll see. We don’t need to worry about that until September.” But there’s no doubt, yet again, it’s a matter of time before he gears up to lead the Titans from week 1. Given that his only real competition is Will Levis. The Titans would have ample time to figure out how they want to deploy their franchise QB.

Ward, who has worked his way through the football pyramid, will have a chip on his shoulder to continue proving his critics wrong. A zero-star recruit from high school is now the No.1 overall pick. What better story could Ward have written for himself as he steps into the NFL lights, hoping he can change not only a franchise’s fortune, but also silence his doubters once and for all?