NFL Schedule Creator’s Damage Control for Outrage About Titans Being Left out of Prime-Time Slots Backfired: “Spewing Nonsense and Double Standards”

Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders were the focal points of the 2025 NFL Draft, with Ward selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans.

NFL Schedule Creator’s Damage Control for Outrage About Titans Being Left out of Prime-Time Slots Backfired: “Spewing Nonsense and Double Standards”

Cam Ward (Image via IMAGO)

The Tennessee Titans fans are angry and understandably so. Their team didn’t get a single prime-time game this year, even though they drafted quarterback Cam Ward at number one overall.

Ward’s monumental rise from rags to riches was among the talk of the town during the draft. The former Miami Hurricanes player dominated the college scene to become the first pick in the 2025 NFL draft. However, the NFL’s scheduling committee didn’t see them as a team that should be playing on Sunday night.

NFL vice president of broadcast planning and scheduling Mike North was asked on the Ross Tucker Podcast about the Titans’ exclusion from prime-time game slots. (H/T: CBS Sports)

We kind of have this adage that you play your way into prime time. You don’t draft your way into prime time. So the Titans are one of the teams that don’t currently have a national television window assigned. But that’s what things like flexible scheduling are for.

Fans on social media didn’t like the explanation on Titans not playing a prime-time game in 2025

The Titans played in a prime-time slot last year when Will Levis and Mason Rudolph took turns at the quarterback spot. So, it only made sense to consider them for the same this year because they landed the best quarterback in the draft.

NFL Schedule Creator's Damage Control for Outrage about Titans Being Left Out of Prime-Time Slots Backfired Spewing Nonsense and Double Standards
Cam Ward (Image via NBC)

In comparison, the NFL gave the Chicago Bears, who drafted Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, two games last year. Before that, the Panthers with Bryce Young and the Jaguars with Trevor Lawrence played Sunday night games.

Titans fans on social media didn’t like North’s explanation.

Perhaps the league committee took notes over the last few years. They saw Williams 68 absorbing 68 sacks and ending up with a 5-12 record. Young suffered 62 sacks and finished with a 2-15 record. Lawrence, a year before, Young threw 17 picks and went 3-14. The hype surrounding these three was much bigger compared to Ward.

Well, the Titans fans shouldn’t lose hope just yet. The NFL schedule is created with future changes in mind. So the league may decide to shift one or even two of the Titans’ games to late-night viewing instead of early afternoon.

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