Cam Ward’s Nonchalant Run Out Of Bounds Sets Him Up To Get Clobbered As Penalty Bait In The NFL

Cam Ward is likely going to be the first (or second) quarterback selected during the upcoming NFL Draft. However, the former Miami, Washington State and Incarnate Word signal-caller will be in for a rude awakening if he continues to slow way down while running out of bounds.

His nonchalant approach to avoiding contact will get him licked on the next level.

Ward is, without a doubt, the most naturally athletic quarterback in this NFL Draft class. He threw for more than 4,000 yards as a fifth-year senior with 39 touchdowns, which broke Case Keenum’s record, and consistently made plays with his legs.

There are plenty of reasons to ding Ward’s draft stock, like poor ball placement or a reliance on pre-snap reads, but the arm talent is undeniable. The same can be said for his video game-like agility.

One other thing that often shows up on tape is that Cam Ward often leaves himself out to dry.

It is not dissimilar to Patrick Mahomes, who was at the center of an ongoing controversy throughout the 2024/25 NFL season. The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champion tries to bait defenses into a late hit. He will pull up right before the white paint to blur the line between in-bounds and out-of-bounds.

Officials typically throw the flag if a nearby defender steps up to lay the lumber. Otherwise, Mahomes frequently tiptoes down the sideline for an additional gain if the defense does not get upfield to make the hit. He puts the defense in a lose-lose situation.

Ward does the same thing but it might not be on purpose.