Cam Ward jersey number: How Warren Moon may influence if projected first overall pick wears No. 1 with Titans

David Suggs

•
Cam Ward jersey number: How Warren Moon may influence if projected first overall pick wears No. 1 with Titans image

Cam Ward's NFL destination appears to be a foregone conclusion at this point. What number will he wear? Now, that's still up for debate.

The Miami product surged to the top of draft boards while donning the No. 1 kit during his time in burnt orange. He's hoping to do the same in the NFL, albeit in different colors.

Ward is the presumptive No. 1 pick in this year's draft. He's expected to join the Titans' QB corps before too long, a much-needed addition after years of uncertainty under center.

Ward's impending arrival will breathe life into a weary fan base. And yet, there's confusion over whether the dual-threat talent will be permitted to rock his preferred threads at the next level.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Here's what you need to know.

MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT: SN's 7-round mock | Top 250 big board | Expert mock draft roundup

What jersey number will Cam Ward wear in the NFL?

Ward sported the No. 1 jersey for much of his collegiate career, rocking the digit during his time at Washington State and Miami. He expressed interest in attempting to continue the trend in the professional ranks, although that dynamic will depend on a number of factors, namely whether the integer is available for use.

Ward's destination is all but confirmed at this point — all signs are pointing towards the Miami product landing in Tennessee with the first overall pick. That could make Ward's wishes harder to grant: the Titans granted that number, and the man who sported it — Warren Moon — the grandest of honors in 2006, retiring the digit from use to pay homage to Moon's Hall of Fame exploits.

MORE NFL DRAFT:

While Ward's preference remains to rock the figure he had so much success with at the Division I level, he also hinted he's open to donning another unit as needed. Before reaching new heights at the FBS level, Ward wore the No. 7 kit as a member of Incarnate Word — the same jersey he wore during his high school days.

What jersey number did Warren Moon wear?

Moon never actually played in Tennessee, instead spending 10 seasons with the organization's predecessor, the Houston Oilers.

His entire spell in H-Town was spent in the No. 1 jersey. Moon established himself as one of the NFL's greatest talents across his 141-game tenure with the Oilers, collecting six Pro Bowl selections while finishing top six in MVP voting on three occasions.

Between his collegiate, CFL, and NFL careers, Moon spent nearly 30 seasons on the gridiron. All of them saw Moon outfitted in that iconic No. 1 strip.

NumberYearsTeam(s)
11975-1977Washington
11978-1983Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)
11984-1993Houston Oilers
11994-1996Minnesota Vikings
11997-1998Seattle Seahawks
11999-2000Kansas City Chiefs

Is No. 1 retired by the Titans?

The No. 1 jersey is presently retired by the Titans, with Moon's Hall of Fame induction in 2006 serving as the trigger for his longtime franchise to honor his performances in the kit.

While the numeral has stayed in limestone for nearly 20 years, Moon told Paul Kuharsky he'd consider relinquishing the digit if Ward is selected by Tennessee, although he still needs time and space to determine whether that's what he wants.

“I’m thinking about it,” Moon said.

If Moon were to surrender ownership of the figure, he wouldn't be the first Hall of Famer to perform such a task. Last season, Ray Flaherty's family permitted the Giants to unretire his iconic No. 1 for incoming wideout Malik Nabers. The New York pass-catcher proceeded to establish himself as one of the NFL's best wideouts, collecting 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven scores.

MORE NFL DRAFT

David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.