The AFC South just got a lot more interesting. And while the spotlight in Indianapolis is squarely on how the Colts bounce back from their 2025 collapse, it’s hard to ignore what’s brewing in Nashville.
The Tennessee Titans have made a bold move - one that could reshape the division’s power dynamics for years to come. Last week, they hired Robert Saleh as their new head coach, a defensive-minded leader with a proven track record in San Francisco and, more recently, a challenging but not fruitless stint with the New York Jets.
Now, let’s be real: coaching the Jets is like trying to win a race with a flat tire. But even in that difficult environment, Saleh managed to lead the team to two of its three seven-win seasons over the past eleven years.
That says something. And now, he's inheriting a Titans roster that may not be stacked from top to bottom, but it has pieces - especially on defense - that could give him a solid foundation to build on.
Saleh walks into a situation with two standout defensive tackles and some intriguing young talent in the secondary. It’s not a finished product, but with his defensive pedigree, it’s fair to expect the Titans to look sharper on that side of the ball sooner rather than later.
But the real story? It’s on offense.
The Titans knew they had to get this hire right - not just for the sake of the team, but for the future of quarterback Cam Ward. And in Brian Daboll, they may have found the perfect fit.
Yes, Daboll’s head coaching tenure with the Giants ended with more questions than answers. But when it comes to grooming quarterbacks and designing offenses? His résumé speaks for itself.
Flashback to 2018. Daboll takes over as offensive coordinator in Buffalo, and a raw but talented Josh Allen is entering his rookie year.
The early returns were rough - 10 touchdowns, 12 picks, and a sack rate north of 8%. But Daboll stuck with him, built the offense around his strengths, and by Year 3, Allen was a Second-Team All-Pro and nearly took home MVP honors.
His touchdown total had nearly quadrupled, interceptions were down, and he was staying upright in the pocket.
That’s the kind of transformation the Titans are hoping for with Cam Ward. Ward showed flashes as a rookie, but he was also on a struggling team with plenty of growing pains.
Entering Year 2, he needs structure, development, and someone who can unlock his potential. Daboll’s track record suggests he can be that guy.
And the timing couldn’t be better. The Titans head into the offseason armed with strong draft capital and plenty of salary cap space. That’s a powerful combination when you’ve got a young quarterback and a fresh coaching staff ready to shape the future.
For the Colts - and the rest of the AFC South - this is a wake-up call. Jacksonville is coming off a division title.
Houston has made the playoffs three years running. And Tennessee, who’s spent that same stretch in the division basement, just made a move that could change everything.
Indianapolis, meanwhile, is sticking with its current structure. Head coach, GM, and coordinators all appear to be staying put.
That kind of continuity can be a good thing… if it leads to progress. But after the way 2025 ended, the pressure is on.
The Titans have been missing that one piece to tie it all together - a coach who could truly develop Cam Ward and build an offense around him. In Brian Daboll, they believe they’ve found him. And with Robert Saleh leading the charge on defense, Tennessee might not be content to stay in the cellar much longer.
The AFC South is shifting. And the Colts better be ready.