Broncos Present Historic Challenge for No. 1 Pick Cam Ward, Titans

The Denver Broncos will serve as the welcoming committee, ushering Tennessee Titans quarterback and 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward to his first NFL regular season, and the historic matchup is bad news for the former Miami Hurricanes star.

Ward was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2024, finishing behind No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, now of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Despite his high pedigree, Ward could be in football danger against the Broncos.

Broncos a Historically Bad Matchup for Titans QB Cam Ward

The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider noted that rookies playing their first game on the road “seldom” fare well, an ominous reminder for Ward as he visits the Broncos in Week 1.

“Since 2020, first-year quarterbacks who make their NFL debuts away from home are 2-15,” Kosmider wrote on September 2. “Those 17 passers have thrown only eight touchdown passes during that stretch. No rookie QB has won a Week 1 road start since 2018.”

Kosmider referenced Broncos head coach Sean Payton welcoming Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, then a rookie No. 1 overall pick with the Detroit Lions, while with the New Orleans Saints, as an ominous comparison for Ward and the Titans.

Stafford emerged from that contest with a career-low passer rating and wished that he had played better.

QBs in that situation are 17-49 in the last five seasons.

Broncos Defense Built to Put Pressure on QBs

Kosmider said Payton and the Broncos will “try to add to that tortured history” against Ward, but added Denver’s defense must “make Ward look like what he is: a rookie quarterback making his first start in a hostile house of horrors.”

The Broncos led the NFL with a franchise-record 63 sacks in 2024. They also return their top four edge rushers – Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, Dondrea Tillman, and Jonah Elliss.

ESPN’s Jeff Legwold picked the Broncos’ defense as their “biggest strength.”

“Yeah, it’s preseason and they haven’t played many opposing starters, but the Broncos’ defense has dominated at every turn,” Legwold wrote in an article published on August 27. “After two preseason games, the Broncos were No. 1 in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense and third-down defense while allowing the fewest first downs. It is a deep group up front with a secondary that has a legitimate claim as the league’s best. If the defense carries the preseason momentum to the regular season, the only thing that could stand in the Broncos’ way is injuries.”

Payton and Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s challenge is game-planning for Ward with very little NFL film.

Broncos HC Sean Payton Gets Honest About Titans QB Cam Ward

Payton spoke candidly about the work the Broncos did on Ward, saying they “did all of it,” about studying the QB’s college and preseason film.

“You have a limited exposure in the preseason with them,” Payton told reporters on September 1. “Then you would go back and look at his college tape at Miami. Just to get a feel for not only arm strength, but how does he handle pressure? How does he handle zone? And so, we do a pretty in-depth study.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Ward completed 52.6% of his passes for 146 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in the preseason. He only absorbed 1 sack in his 22 dropbacks, and he was 5-for-7 for 77 yards when blitzed.

Red Sox rumors: Insider says Boston, Alex Bregman remain perfect fit

After years of underachievement, the Boston Red Sox are finally back in the playoff hunt. Currently possessing the second AL Wild Card spot, if the season ended today, the Red Sox would play their hated rivals from the Bronx, the New York Yankees. Although Boston has lost their last two games, a three-game winning streak preceded it. Third baseman Alex Bregman’s first season with the Sox has been a strong one thus far. The former Houston Astro could opt out of his current contract this winter. MLB Network spoke with insider Jon Heyman on Bregman’s best potential fit in free agency, and shared Heyman’s take on X, formerly Twitter.

“What could Alex Bregman’s potential free agency look like?” posted the league network on Saturday. “‘I think he fits Boston perfectly… it does feel like Boston is the best fit.’- @JonHeyman.”

It’s easy to see why Heyman said the Red Sox would be Bregman’s best fit. The 31-year-old is nearing the tail end of his physical prime. However, his skillset is one that should age well, particularly at Fenway Park. After the trade of former franchise star Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in June, Bregman has once again become a clubhouse leader, like he was in Houston. Can Scott Boras, the third baseman’s agent, work out a deal with the Boston front office to avoid an opt out this winter? Or will Bregman once again explore free agency?

Can Red Sox hammer out new deal with Alex Bregman, Scott Boras?

Boras is notorious for letting his clients explore free agency rather than sign an extension. The majority of the time, that is the tactic that baseball’s super-agent likes to take. Even though Bregman will turn 32 in March, there are still plenty of teams that would pursue him on the open market. The Yankees would certainly be one, as the trade acquisition of Ryan McMahon before the deadline hasn’t worked out as well as New York would have liked.

Whether it’s the Red Sox, Yankees or another team, the likelihood of Bregman not going to a contender is slim. Based on his age, it feels like a resigning, especially if both sides can strike an agreement before the opt out. For now though, the focus is on Bregman helping lead Boston back to the postseason. Will the Red Sox finish the deal and clinch October baseball in the coming weeks? If so, don’t be surprised to see the third baseman remain at Fenway Park past this season.

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