Brian

Daboll

He’s not waiting for the Raiders anymore. Cam Ward could see a completion percentage spike in his second year as Daboll has tended to focus more on underneath routes and quick-hitters as Giants head coach. We’re not sure it’s enough to get him out of the low-end QB2 ranks without some help at receiver or a better running game, but it’s a start. This news brought to you by major Titans source Jelly Roll.

In other words, this is exactly like the Mike McDaniel scenario that played out over the last week. Daboll had enough pull to organize a ready-made Plan B in case he did not win a head-coaching job this cycle, just as McDaniel picked the Chargers offensive coordinator position while completing interviews for head-coaching gigs. It’s very unlikely any of this would have leaked to reporters if Daboll actually had a real chance at winning the Raiders job, but sometimes NFL teams do very strange things at the last minute.

With Joe Brady landing the Bills head coaching job, Daboll is resigned to take over as OC for head coach Robert Saleh’s Titans. Daboll, who served as Bills offensive coordinator before becoming Giants head coach, will be charged with molding second-year QB Cam Ward following Ward’s uneven rookie year in which he was among the NFL’s most inefficient passers. Turning Ward into a viable starting NFL quarterback will be Saleh’s priority for 2026 as he tries to establish a winning culture for a team that has struggled mightily in recent years.

Daboll could have his choice of destinations, somehow, after a rough stretch as New York’s head coach. Daboll reportedly prioritized the Bills head coaching job but could fall back on the Raiders gig if Buffalo goes in another direction in the coming days. In Vegas, Daboll would be charged with heading a lengthy rebuild of a team without much talent and with no real direction from the front office, which may or may not be controlled by Fox Sports announcer Tom Brady. Daboll won 33.5 percent of his games as Giants head coach over three and a half seasons.

Daboll has made his rounds during this coaching cycle, apparently drawing significant interest from multiple franchises in need of either a head coach or offensive coordinator. Still no hire, but the former Giants head coach appears to be close to landing on his feet after being fired during the 2025 regular season.

Daboll previously interviewed for the Titans’ head coach opening, but that job has been taken by Robert Saleh. The Bills’ job is now the only head coaching gig for which Daboll is still in the running. He has, however, received plenty of interest as an offensive coordinator. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recently reported that he could still land in Tennessee as their OC. The Eagles are also interested in Daboll as an OC, meaning he should get to at least call plays for a team in 2026.

Daboll is reportedly prioritizing the Buffalo job after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. If the Bills pass him over, Russini said Daboll will likely join Robert Saleh as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator. Daboll would be tasked with helping Cam Ward become an NFL-viable starter quarterback after a disastrous rookie season in which he threw 15 touchdowns and seven picks over 17 games. Ward was among the most inaccurate passers in the league.

Daboll served as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 before landing the Giants head coaching job. Daboll’s Bills offense was top-five in both yards and points in both 2020 and 2021 as the team shifted to a more pass-first offense with Josh Allen under center. Daboll’s success with Allen could land him the top job in the coming days and weeks as the Bills interview potential replacements for Sean McDermott. That includes 30-year-old Jacksonville OC Grant Udinski and Colts DC Lou Anarumo.

Daboll also has an interview for the Chargers’ vacant OC gig lined up. The Titans met with him to discuss their head coach opening, but the team has started their second round of interviews and he hasn’t been called back. We will assume for now that he isn’t in the running for that job anymore. Still, Daboll shouldn’t have any issues landing a coordinator job given the initial interest he has received. Previous reports have Daboll at the top of the Eagles’ wishlist of OC candidates, along with Mike McDaniel.

Daboll has drawn significant interest for numerous vacant offensive coordinator positions around the league in recent weeks and could land on his feet with a change of scenery after a turbulent head coaching stint with the Giants. He also interviewed with the Titans on Friday for their vacant head coaching position.