The Titans’ biggest draw is Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick whose rookie season showed tantalizing upside in bursts. Daboll has been noted as a strong admirer of Ward since the 2025 pre-draft process, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Schultz reports that the Giants attempted a bold move to secure Ward in 2025, offering the No. 3 overall pick, a 2025 first-rounder, and multiple Day 2 selections to move to No. 1, but Tennessee declined the deal. The Giants’ interest underscores Ward’s high draft regard and Daboll’s enthusiasm for his development.
The report highlights a prior relationship between Daboll and Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi, along with Daboll’s strong interest in the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job before his Giants tenure ended. These connections add context to why the Titans pursued him for the OC role.
Tennessee enters this offseason with the sixth overall pick and roughly $93 million in cap space, positioning the franchise to add pieces around Ward and support his growth in 2026. The opportunity to pair Ward’s ceiling with Daboll’s quarterback-development track record is a central part of the appeal.
Daboll’s history coaching quarterbacks is a focal point of the discussion: he helped elevate Mac Jones at Alabama, developed Josh Allen into an MVP candidate with the Bills, and was involved with Jaxson Dart before leaving the Giants. If Ward progresses under Daboll’s guidance, it could keep Daboll in head-coaching contention in the next cycle, per industry observers.
James Palmer notes that a Ward-Daboll collaboration is a compelling scenario for both the Titans and Daboll, potentially enabling a productive offense in 2026 and keeping Daboll in the head-coaching conversation should the offense succeed. The arrangement, if realized, would mark a notable reset for both organizations.
