Days after agreeing to be the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Robert Saleh may have made the most important signing of the offseason as former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll agreed to be his offensive coordinator.
ESPN sources: The Titans are now set to hire former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as their offensive coordinator, contingent upon him not getting the Raiders head coaching job. Pic.twitter.com/mvdUyX81fv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026
Daboll was previously considered a finalist to become the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, but after Buffalo announced that Joe Brady won the job, Daboll quickly pivoted to joining Saleh’s staff, a decision league sources said was always the backup plan.
Throughout his career, Daboll has been admired for his development of young quarterbacks and now has an opportunity to work with former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, coming off a rookie season that showed a lot of potential.
Why Daboll Is the Right Fit for Ward
Despite a 3-14 record, Ward was a bright spot on a bleak Tennessee team, as the rookie quarterback set the team record for passing yards by a rookie, while also throwing for 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions and starting all 17 games.
Dealing with a lack of talent on offense, Ward showcased his athleticism and playmaking ability, often relying on his strong arm and legs to create plays after his offensive line collapsed.
However, despite his physical traits, the rookie quarterback struggled with quick decision-making, often holding the ball too long and allowing opposing defenses to make plays on him. Ward finished his year with 17 fumbles, which was tied for a league-high with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.
Fortunately for him, his new offensive coordinator has experience with athletic quarterbacks who struggle with ball security.
Love this for Tennessee. They already look much improved heading into next season.
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) January 27, 2026
They have:
• 23 year old Cam Ward
• $101 million in cap space (1st)
• 4th overall pick
• Robert Saleh + Brian Daboll pairing
If I had to place an early bet, this is the team I see as the most… https://t.co/1bkfp1n5Jo pic.twitter.com/ZI9iXHeZqH
Before becoming a head coach, Daboll made his name as the mind behind the development of Josh Allen, an athletic specimen who struggled with ball security and accuracy early in his career.
Spending four years with Allen, Daboll emphasized working on the QB’s footwork while also simplifying the offense for him, who struggled to dissect complex NFL defenses early in his career. This could be a similar approach Daboll could implement for Ward, as he builds confidence in the young quarterback.
In addition, Daboll will most likely introduce a new offense that includes a lot of run-pass options and QB run designs, allowing Ward to make quick decisions while also utilizing his athleticism.
With Daboll signing and the likely addition of new offensive weapons in the draft and the remainder of free agency, the Titans could deploy a more competent offense as Ward continues to develop under his new quarterback whisperer.