The Tennessee Titans are making a bold move to reshape their offense, reportedly zeroing in on former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as their next offensive coordinator under newly hired head coach Robert Saleh. According to reports, the deal hinges on one key variable: Daboll is still in the running for the Raiders’ head coaching job. If that door closes, it looks like he’ll be bringing his offensive acumen to Nashville.
Daboll’s name carries weight in league circles, especially when it comes to quarterback development. He played a pivotal role in the rise of Josh Allen in Buffalo, helping mold the big-armed passer into one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. More recently, he worked with Giants QB Jaxson Dart, navigating a challenging situation in New York while still showing flashes of the QB-whisperer reputation he’s built over the years.
Now, the Titans are hoping Daboll can work that same magic with Cam Ward, their young signal-caller. Ward is raw but talented, and pairing him with a coach who knows how to build around a quarterback’s strengths could be exactly what Tennessee needs to turn the page offensively.
Let’s take a quick look at the group of candidates the Titans considered for the OC role before landing on Daboll as their top choice:
- Kliff Kingsbury, former Commanders OC
- Adam Stenavich, current Packers OC
- Arthur Smith, former Steelers OC and now with Ohio State
- Thad Lewis, former Buccaneers QBs coach (scheduled to interview)
- Brian Daboll, former Giants HC and Bills OC
That’s a diverse group, ranging from college minds to established NFL coordinators, but Daboll brings a unique blend of experience and adaptability that likely set him apart.
At 50, Daboll’s been around the NFL block more than a few times. He got his start with the Patriots back in 2000 as a defensive assistant before moving to wide receivers coach.
From there, he bounced around a bit-Jets QBs coach, OC gigs in Cleveland, Miami, and Kansas City-before returning to New England as a tight ends coach. He also spent a year at Alabama under Nick Saban, a move that helped him reset and refine his offensive philosophy.
His most impactful stretch came in Buffalo from 2018 to 2021, where he helped transform a raw Josh Allen into a top-tier quarterback. That success led to his first head coaching shot with the Giants in 2022, and he made an immediate splash-earning Coach of the Year honors after guiding New York to a playoff win in his debut season.
But the momentum didn’t last. Over three seasons with the Giants, Daboll posted a 20-40-1 record, with just one postseason appearance. Still, his offensive mind remains highly respected, and in the right role, he has the tools to elevate a young offense.
If the Raiders job doesn’t pan out, the Titans are poised to land a coach with a proven track record of maximizing quarterback talent. For a team looking to build around Cam Ward and find a new offensive identity under Robert Saleh, Brian Daboll could be the key to unlocking the next chapter.