New York Jets linebacker David Bailey, the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is concentrating on containing Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward in his professional debut on Sunday. Bailey stated that his primary focus is on limiting Ward's impact in their Week 1 matchup, rather than looking ahead to future divisional opponents.

"I'm not really thinking about [divisional teams] right now, honestly. I'm thinking about it week by week," Bailey told The Post's "Gang's All Here" podcast. "We're going [against] a good-ass quarterback right now. Obviously going against Cam Ward, he's extremely elusive. He's a good quarterback."

Bailey described the team's strategy as a collective effort to contain Ward, emphasizing the need to be aware of his specific abilities and strengths. "So we've put together a plan to try and contain him... It's going to be a group effort, but you know going against a specific quarterback, obviously you got to be cognizant of certain abilities they have and certain strengths they have. But my mindset, really, I don't think it drastically changes from week to week. I think it's pretty consistent in terms of what I want to get done and what I want to help the team with."

Ward, the first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, was sacked 55 times during his rookie season with the Titans, a total that tied the league lead. Bailey, meanwhile, registered one sack in the preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers, following a collegiate career at Texas Tech where he recorded 14.5 sacks last season.

The 23-year-old edge rusher identified eight-time Pro Bowler Von Miller, currently with the Dallas Cowboys, as a player he emulates. "Von is, man, just the way he plays, man. When it's all said and done, I want my highlight tape to look just like his, man," Bailey said. "But man, just the ways he gets after the quarterback, elite, it just seems like he always knows what to do. When his first move doesn't work, he always has a counter ready."

Bailey added, "So, man, yeah, he's just like the first that I really studied, for real."