Miami quarterback Cam Ward was forced to sit out the second half of Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, sparking controversy over the signal caller’s failure to finish the play.

Ward set the NCAA Division 1 record for career touchdowns thrown during the contest, but did not return to action after halftime.

Iowa State came back to win the bowl game 42-41, making Ward’s suspension all the easier to scrutinize. In the grand scheme of things, the move shouldn’t be a big deal, but the discourse machine will continue to run.

There are enough fans out there who think that any player who opts out of a bowl game is a bad look, let alone one who opts out and then sits out the second half after reaching a personal milestone .

If you’re wondering whether Ward’s decision to sit could impact his standing in the 2025 NFL Draft, don’t be. It most likely won’t matter whether NFL teams consider adding Ward in the draft process next spring.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III astutely pointed out the hypocrisy when fans were upset that Ward didn’t play in the second half.

“He didn’t have to play at all,” Griffin said posted on Twitter (X). “Instead he gave us a half of breathtaking plays. Stop vilifying these student-athletes.”

The same people who criticize Cam Ward for sitting out the second half of the Pop Tarts Bowl would say how stupid it would be for him to play if he was injured. He didn’t have to play at all. Instead, he gave us one half of stunning pieces. Stop vilifying these student-athletes.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 29, 2024

If you think a quarterback-needy NFL team is going to seriously consider leaving Ward off its draft board because he didn’t play two quarters of a bowl game, think again. Not playing the second half of a bowl game says nothing about his future as an NFL quarterback.

To be honest, NFL teams interested in Ward are probably relieved that he didn’t risk an injury in the second half of what essentially amounts to a meaningless game since Miami doesn’t play in the College Football Playoff.

This isn’t a story and most likely won’t affect Ward’s draft status in the slightest. The Miami quarterback should still likely be selected very high in the 2025 NFL Draft, perhaps even with the first overall pick.