Travis Hunter and Cam Ward Heat Up Rookie Premiere with Playful Team Roasts

Cam Ward and Travis Hunter were selected first and second overall by AFC South rivals, the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.

Travis Hunter and Cam Ward Heat Up Rookie Premiere with Playful Team Roasts

Travis Hunter, Cam Ward (Images via CNN/Yahoo Sports)

A little banter and friendly rivalry? That’s the lifeblood of sports. Whether it’s the NBA, MLB, or NFL, the top two picks in any draft are destined to be compared. It’s practically a tradition at this point.

And this NFL season? Oh, it’s no different. The chatter’s already buzzing, and the comparisons are coming in hot. To add to the interesting banter, the first and second overall picks of 2025, Cam Ward and Travis Hunter, belong to two divisional rivals, the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.

The duo recently made headlines when they appeared at the NFLPA rookie premiere, where they clashed about their respective teams. The newly signed Ward was the first to start with a double-double, fired at the two-way star from the Colorado Buffaloes.

“I’d hate to be a Jacksonville Jaguar,” Ward said. Hunter was quick to respond and claimed that the Jags didn’t require the quarterback. The quarterback couldn’t keep mum about the claim.

“They say they’re trying to get rid of you already,” Ward added. “You know, they don’t like quarterbacks that much. They only got you ’cause they had to,” Hunter shot back.

As young players, both Ward and Hunter have a lot to prove. As Travis Hunter claimed, the Titans are known for their dislike of quarterbacks. In the past three years, they have played with five different signal-callers, including Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill. It was also clear that the Cam Ward selection came because Will Levis failed to perform.

On the other hand, Hunter comes in as a two-way star. There’s a lot of doubt regarding his ability to perform in both ways, questioned by players and coaches alike. He is also paired with a rather inconsistent quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, which might make his task daunting if Lawrence fails as a signalcaller.

Apart from Cam Ward and Travis Hunter, 40 rookies took part in the NFLPA Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles

While Cam Ward and Travis Hunter may have drawn significant attention, they were among 42 select rookies who participated in the 31st annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere, held from May 14–17 in Los Angeles. The event was presented by Panini America and co-hosted by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and NFL Players Inc.

NFLPA Rookie Premiere
Seven rookies including Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere (Image via FOX Sports)

The Rookie Premiere is a unique initiative designed to prepare rookies for success beyond the playing field. The participants are given a chance to engage in various activities that emphasize personal brand development, licensing education, and business strategy.

This year’s event featured autograph signings, trading card photoshoots, and the official Fanatics jersey unveiling. It also featured live-action and studio content sessions aimed at building their market presence from the outset of their professional careers.

The rookies got their introductions with several brands and companies at the event as well. Panini America, EA Sports, Fanatics, NFL Social Lab, New Era, and Microsoft facilitated scheduled content sessions designed to produce personalized marketing assets. Meanwhile, a diverse array of product and activation partners like Nike, Sony, Oakley, WHOOP, FedEx, Gatorade, Gillette, and Pepsi—provided curated experiences.

In terms of team representation, all NFL franchises except the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens had at least one rookie participant. The New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns had most participation at the premiere with three each. Quinshon Judkins, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel represented the Cleveland Browns, while Abdul Carter, Cam Skattebo, and Jaxson Dart represented the New York Giants.

Amongst the 42, ten of them were quarterbacks. Tyler Shough, Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe, Kyle McCord, Riley Leonard, and Will Howard filled up the quota.

Also Read: NFL Denies Primetime Slots to Rookies Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders