Titans Expected To Land Brian Daboll As Offensive Coordinator

The Tennessee Titans appear poised to make one of the most consequential hires of their offseason, as reports from multiple sources on January 27, 2026, confirm that Brian Daboll is expected to become their next offensive coordinator. This development, coming swiftly on the heels of the Buffalo Bills’ decision to promote Joe Brady to head coach, signals a dramatic shift for the Titans as they aim to revitalize their offense and accelerate their franchise rebuild.

For Titans fans, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of speculation and anticipation. The search for a new head coach and offensive coordinator dominated headlines, with the franchise determined to set a new direction after recent struggles. The hiring of Robert Saleh as head coach early last week set the stage for a high-stakes pursuit of an offensive mind who could unlock the potential of young quarterback Cam Ward and a promising, if unproven, offensive group. The stakes couldn’t be higher—the right pairing could define the success of the Titans’ next era.

As soon as Saleh accepted the Titans job, speculation swirled around who would be entrusted with shaping the offense. With Mike McDaniel, the former Miami Dolphins head coach, quickly landing with the Los Angeles Chargers, attention shifted to Brian Daboll, who had recently finished his stint as the New York Giants’ head coach. Daboll, a respected offensive strategist with deep roots in the Bill Belichick coaching tree, emerged as the consensus favorite—especially after he missed out on the Bills’ top job.

The coaching carousel in the NFL is always a spectacle, but this winter’s cycle has seen a clear trend: experience is back in vogue. Teams are increasingly turning to coaches who have been around the block, seeking stability and proven leadership over the allure of untested innovators. For the Titans, the prospect of pairing Saleh and Daboll—both former head coaches from New York City’s NFL teams—offers a unique blend of experience, perspective, and, perhaps, redemption.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Titans were Daboll’s expected landing spot if he didn’t secure the Bills’ head coaching role. That prediction gained further credibility when NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported over the weekend that Tennessee was waiting to sign Daboll as soon as the opportunity arose. ESPN echoed these reports on January 27, 2026, affirming that Daboll is indeed on track to join the Titans’ staff.

The dominoes began to fall when the Buffalo Bills, after a brief coaching search following Sean McDermott’s firing on January 19, opted to promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. Brady, who has been with the Bills since 2024, was considered a strong internal candidate, and his elevation closed the door on Daboll’s return to Buffalo. As Adam Schefter of ESPN reported, "Sources: the Bills are working to finalize a deal to make offensive coordinator Joe Brady their new head coach." This move not only shaped the Bills’ future but also had ripple effects across the league, impacting teams like the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, whose assistants were in contention for the Buffalo job.

For Tennessee, the Bills’ decision was a blessing in disguise. Daboll, who had also interviewed twice for the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach position, now seemed destined for Nashville. The Raiders’ search, however, appeared to be leaning toward Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak or Broncos assistant Davis Webb, making Daboll’s path to the Titans all but clear.

The impending reunion of Saleh and Daboll in Tennessee is notable for several reasons. While both coached in New York during the early 2020s—Saleh with the Jets, Daboll with the Giants—their coaching philosophies and backgrounds are strikingly different. Saleh is renowned for his defensive acumen, while Daboll’s resume is steeped in offensive innovation, with significant experience in New England, Kansas City, and Buffalo before his head coaching tenure with the Giants. The two have no direct coaching connection, making this partnership a fascinating experiment for the Titans.

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline is Daboll’s new opportunity to work with Cam Ward, the Titans’ young quarterback. It was widely reported that Daboll held Ward in high regard during the draft process last spring. Now, with the chance to mold a quarterback he may have coveted all along, Daboll’s arrival offers hope for a dynamic offensive turnaround in Tennessee.

The Titans’ front office, for its part, appears to be embracing the league-wide pivot toward experience. After years of chasing the next young offensive mastermind, the pendulum has swung back toward proven leaders. Some analysts have questioned whether this trend is a fleeting fad or a wise correction, but in Tennessee’s case, the combination of Saleh and Daboll brings a level of gravitas and credibility that’s hard to ignore.

It’s worth noting the broader impact of these coaching moves across the NFL. Denver’s quarterback coach Davis Webb and Rams pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase were both considered strong candidates for the Bills’ head coaching vacancy. With Buffalo’s decision made, Webb is likely to remain in Denver, while Scheelhaase’s only remaining head coach suitor is the Cleveland Browns. The Titans, meanwhile, emerge as perhaps the biggest winners, securing a top offensive mind to guide their young core.

The reaction from Titans fans has ranged from cautious optimism to outright excitement. While some have joked about "farming former Jets and Giants coaches," the consensus is that both Saleh and Daboll were highly sought-after in this year’s hiring cycle and bring a wealth of expertise to Nashville. The pairing also promises a fresh start for a franchise eager to escape the pain of recent seasons and build toward sustained success.

One thing is certain: the Titans are all-in on their new direction. With Saleh at the helm and Daboll expected to orchestrate the offense, the focus now shifts to integrating their philosophies and maximizing the talent on hand. For Cam Ward and the rest of the young offensive group, this could be the beginning of something special—or, at the very least, a fascinating experiment in NFL team-building.

As of January 28, 2026, the final pieces are falling into place. While Daboll’s hiring as offensive coordinator is not yet officially announced, all signs point to his imminent arrival in Tennessee. The Titans’ bold moves this offseason have set the stage for a new chapter—one that promises to be anything but dull as the franchise looks to climb back into playoff contention.