NASHVILLE – Quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders trained together during the pre-draft process, when they competed, talked trash, and became even better friends.
When the NFL Draft took place back in April, the Titans picked Ward, and the Browns selected Sanders.
On Sunday, Ward and Sanders will lead their respective teams against one another in Cleveland.
On Wednesday, the QBs downplayed their upcoming on-field reunion, while complimenting one another.
Both are just getting started in their effort to change the fate of a struggling NFL franchise. Overcoming adversity, and doubts, has been a part of each one's journey.
"There's going to be haters, whether you play good or whether you play bad, we both know that," Ward said. "But at the end of the day it is about what we do individually, and what we have to do for the (team) to help put everyone in the best situation.
"I think every rookie's journey is different. He may have a good game this week, a bad game next week. I may have a bad game this week, good game next week. So, you really just take it week to week."
Ward, selected first overall by the Titans, is averaging 195.5 passing yards in his 12 starts, with seven touchdowns vs six interceptions. Ward's passer rating is 75.2.
Sanders, selected 144th overall (in the fifth round of the draft), is averaging 135.0 passing yards per game in his two starts, with two touchdown passes, two interceptions, and a 69.4 rating.
In Cleveland, Sanders was asked about Ward, and their upcoming roles in Sunday's game.
"Yeah, Cam's competitive, it's always fun, you know, getting out there, training with him," Sanders said of Ward. "And then, we both ended up getting drafted, and we both went our separate ways. And that's really everybody that I played in college with almost, you know, everybody's focused on what they got to do, and it's all love whenever we see each other.
"Nah, I think it's nothing extra within myself (playing against Cam). It's a lot of great quarterbacks, you know, week by week that we play against. So, I wouldn't say this adds anything."
Ward said he hasn't talked with Sanders since the start of the season, indicating both quarterbacks have spent the last few months focusing on the demands on being a quarterback in the NFL.
But he's watched Sanders from afar, and is rooting for him.
Except for Sunday, of course.
"He knows I am here any time," Ward said of Sanders. "I am always going to be there for my guy, and I know he's going to be there for me."
