Colts' Zaire Franklin Says Cam Ward's 1st Career NFL TD Pass 'Wasn't a Good Throw'

Don't count Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin among those who are celebrating Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward's highlight-reel touchdown pass from Week 2.

Late in the second quarter of the Titans' 33-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week, Ward showed off his athleticism, strong arm and penchant for taking risks.

On third-and-goal, Ward scrambled backward nearly 20 yards, avoided pressure, rolled to the right and threw a pass across his body to the other side of the field.

Despite being in double coverage, rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor came down with the ball for a touchdown, and the score was tied 10-10 after the extra point.

On Wednesday, Franklin was asked about the play ahead of Sunday's AFC South clash between the Colts and Titans, and while he praised Ward as a player, he also made it clear that he didn't feel it was a smart throw, and he would welcome Ward to try it again in Week 3:

"I hope he throws that play again," Franklin said. "It wasn't a good throw, but he's a talented player. He can make all those throws. His arm angle, obviously is exceptional, he's got zip on the ball. He's the No. 1 overall pick for a reason. I was a fan of him when he was in college. ... But hopefully he throws the ball again."

Ward is just 23 years old and has only two NFL starts under his belt, but he was arguably among the most pro-ready players in the draft after starting 57 games across five collegiate seasons at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami.

He was at his best as a senior at Miami, throwing for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions en route to being named ACC Player of the Year and finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Given the poor quarterback play the Titans got out of Will Levis and Mason Rudolph last season, they jumped at the chance to take Ward first overall in the 2025 NFL draft and named him the starter immediately.

Regardless of talent, there are almost always some growing pains when it comes to a rookie quarterback, and Ward is dealing with them, as evidenced by the fact that he is 0-2 and completing only 50.8 percent of his passes.

He has yet to throw an interception, but Ward has taken 11 sacks and fumbled the ball twice through two games, and there is little doubt that Franklin and the Colts defense are aware of that and hoping to take advantage of his lack of experience on Sunday.

A win would give the Colts their first 3-0 start since 2009, and while Ward and the Titans would undoubtedly love to play spoiler, the best chance for that to happen may be for Ward to avoid low-percentage throws like the one that turned out to be an Ayomanor touchdown last week.