ClutchPoints
There’s little doubt that Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward has a cold-steel exterior. And he seems to have a solid competitive fire. But he’s not the surprising make-or-break player for the Titans in the 2025 NFL season.
That honor, if you can call it that, falls on the shoulders of Treylon Burks. First, Burks is fighting his way back from an ACL injury suffered in October of 2024. Some players don’t bounce back the following season and have their typical productivity.
However, Burks could exceed anything he’s ever done in the NFL by just have a moderately good year. So there’s not a lot of “numbers” pressure. But he needs to step up if the Titans’ offense is going to motor along in 2025.
There are two important reasons why the 25-year-old Burks needs to come to the forefront. One of them is the age of Calvin Ridley, who will turn 31 during the season. The other is the age of Tyler Lockett, who will turn 33 in September.
Burks is the young buck in this receiver room. And while the older receivers will surely be productive, they may not match what they’ve done in the past. That opens the door for the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Burks to shine.
The good news for Burks is his recovery process, according to tennesseetitans.com. He said he’s been leaning on the Lord as he works through the rehab.
“I feel amazing, just blessed,” Burks said. “I’ve just been leaning on God, leaning on the people that believe in me, care. And I feel really good, and happy to be in the situation I’m in.”
Burks said in mid-June he’s ahead of schedule.
“It really starts with your mental, man,” Burks said. “Tearing an ACL, having any big injury like that, is definitely devastating. I did it by the grace of God, just to make it simple. I wouldn’t be able to do it without Him, without the courage He provides me. My daughter, my wife, a lot of friends, family. It means more when you are able to do it for just a bigger purpose than just yourself. I pride myself on that.”
“I’m just blessed by the grace of God. And the people that have poured into me, and have worked with me every day to get me back to where I am now. I am just extremely excited to get back and play ball again.”
Burks said he didn’t sulk about the injury.
“I never questioned God, like, ‘Why me?,” Burks said. “But it did put the mindset in my head, on if I still love the game, because it comes with a lot. And, just from going out every day, seeing what the guys are going through, watching it from home, it made me miss it more, and (now I want) to honor it.
“Every day that I am here at this facility, and every day that I am working, I don’t...
