The Tennessee Titans are deep into their search for a new offensive coordinator, and things are starting to take shape. On Monday, the team interviewed three candidates: Kliff Kingsbury, Thad Lewis, and Adam Stenavich. Former Bills head coach Brian Daboll is also in the mix, giving the Titans a pool of experienced offensive minds to choose from as they try to reshape their offense heading into a pivotal season.
There’s also a fifth, unnamed candidate reportedly involved to satisfy the Rooney Rule, but since that individual hasn’t been identified publicly, let’s focus on the four known contenders and what each brings to the table.
Brian Daboll: The Top Target-If He’s Available
Let’s start with the name that’s clearly at the top of the Titans’ wishlist: Brian Daboll. According to NFL Network, Tennessee is eager to bring him aboard as offensive coordinator.
The hang-up? Daboll is still in the running for head coaching jobs with both the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders.
That’s kept the Titans in a holding pattern for now.
Daboll’s appeal is easy to understand. He’s built a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, with a proven track record of developing young signal-callers.
That’s a big deal for Tennessee, especially with Cam Ward entering the picture as a potential franchise QB. Daboll’s offensive vision and leadership could fast-track Ward’s development and give the Titans a clear identity on that side of the ball.
There’s another layer here too: Daboll is reportedly Robert Saleh’s top choice elsewhere, and if he lands one of the head coaching gigs, he’s off the board. But if he doesn’t? The Titans might just get their guy.
Kliff Kingsbury: High-Octane Potential, But Questions Linger
Kliff Kingsbury is another intriguing candidate, though he comes with a bit more baggage. He was initially expected to interview for the Titans’ head coaching job, but that didn’t materialize. Instead, he’s now being considered for the OC role.
Kingsbury’s résumé includes developing two Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterbacks-Kyler Murray and Jayden Daniels-which speaks to his ability to work with young, dynamic talent. That’s a plus when you’re trying to build around someone like Cam Ward.
His Air Raid roots could make for an exciting offensive pairing, especially considering Ward’s history with Eric Morris, his former coach at both Incarnate Word and Washington State. Kingsbury’s system, when it clicks, can be explosive. But the flip side is worth noting: he didn’t stick long in either Washington or Arizona, and the inconsistency of his past stops raises fair questions about sustainability.
Still, if the Titans are looking to modernize their offense and maximize Ward’s arm talent, Kingsbury’s scheme could be a compelling fit.
Adam Stenavich: A Familiar System, A Different Identity
Then there’s Adam Stenavich, the Packers’ offensive coordinator. While he doesn’t call plays in Green Bay-head coach Matt LaFleur handles that-Stenavich has been a key figure in designing and implementing one of the NFL’s most balanced and efficient offenses.
He also has ties to Robert Saleh from their time together in San Francisco, which means he’s fluent in the zone-based West Coast system popularized by Kyle Shanahan and LaFleur. If the Titans were to go in this direction, it likely signals a return to a run-heavy identity, with a strong emphasis on play-action and rhythm passing.
That could make sense given Tennessee’s personnel and the need to protect a young quarterback. Stenavich may not be the flashiest name on the list, but his understanding of offensive structure and system continuity could bring a much-needed level of stability.
Thad Lewis: A Long Shot for Now
Thad Lewis, the former Buccaneers quarterbacks coach, rounds out the group. He’s a former quarterback himself and has been steadily rising through the coaching ranks, but his lack of play-calling experience appears to be a sticking point in this particular search.
Lewis was recently let go by Tampa Bay, and while his background at the position gives him some upside, the Titans seem more focused on candidates who’ve already called plays at the NFL level or who bring a more defined offensive system to the table.
That doesn’t mean Lewis won’t get his shot somewhere down the line-his trajectory is still promising-but based on where Tennessee is right now, he’s likely on the outside looking in.
What’s Next for the Titans?
The Titans are clearly casting a wide net, and each candidate offers a different vision for what this offense could become. Whether it’s Daboll’s quarterback development, Kingsbury’s vertical explosiveness, Stenavich’s system familiarity, or Lewis’ long-term potential, the decision will tell us a lot about how Tennessee plans to build around Cam Ward and reshape its offensive identity.
If Daboll becomes available, he’s the frontrunner. If not, the Titans have some tough-but intriguing-decisions to make.