Titans Set to Land Brian Daboll as Offensive Coordinator, Pending Raiders’ Decision

In a move that could dramatically reshape their offensive identity, the Tennessee Titans are reportedly on the verge of hiring former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll as their new offensive coordinator. The hiring, however, hinges on a critical domino: Daboll not being offered the vacant head-coaching position with the Las Vegas Raiders, with whom he completed a second interview this week. This developing story represents a high-stakes chess match for three franchises, with the Titans hoping to secure a proven offensive architect to jumpstart a unit that has struggled for consistency. For Tennessee, landing Daboll would signal a bold and aggressive commitment to modernizing their attack under new head coach Robert Saleh.

The Daboll Dilemma: A Three-Team Tug of War

The current situation surrounding Brian Daboll is a fascinating study in NFL offseason maneuvering. According to multiple reports, Daboll finds himself at the center of a three-pronged career decision, with each path leading to a distinctly different future.

The Titans’ Offer appears to be the most concrete, with the organization expecting him to join Saleh’s staff. After a disappointing tenure ending his time with the New York Giants, the OC role in Tennessee offers Daboll a chance to reset and re-establish his reputation as an offensive innovator without the immense pressure of a head coach’s seat.

The Raiders’ Pursuit represents the wild card. Las Vegas is conducting a thorough search for their next head coach, and Daboll remains a serious candidate. A second interview is never a formality; it indicates genuine interest. The allure of leading a historic franchise with a potential franchise quarterback in place is a powerful draw that could supersede any coordinator position.

The Eagles’ Connection adds another layer of intrigue. Daboll has a pre-existing, successful relationship with Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, having served as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama in 2017. The chance to reunite with an MVP-caliber player in a championship-ready environment is undoubtedly appealing, though reports suggest the Titans are the more likely destination if the Raiders job falls through.

What Daboll Brings to the Tennessee Titans

If the Titans successfully navigate this three-way standoff and secure Brian Daboll, they will be acquiring an offensive mind with a proven track record of adaptability and quarterback development. His resume, despite his recent head-coaching record, is impressive on the offensive side of the ball.

• Quarterback Whisperer: Daboll’s history with developing quarterbacks is extensive. He was instrumental in crafting the offense that helped Jalen Hurts blossom at Alabama. More notably, as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2018-2021, he was the architect behind Josh Allen’s meteoric rise from raw prospect to elite NFL MVP candidate. His system unlocked Allen’s dual-threat potential while refining his passing mechanics and decision-making.
• Scheme Versatility: While often associated with the spread-out, pass-happy attack he ran in Buffalo, Daboll has shown a chameleon-like ability to tailor his scheme to his personnel. His earlier work with powerful rushing attacks in New England demonstrates he is not a system zealot. This is crucial for a Titans team that has long been built around a physical run game but desperately needs to evolve.
• Creative Play-Design: At his best, Daboll’s offenses are characterized by creative motion, formation variety, and schemes that create easy throws and explosive plays. He excels at putting his playmakers in space—a skill the Titans have sorely lacked in recent seasons.

For a Titans offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in passing and total yards, Daboll represents a beacon of modern offensive football. His task would be clear: resurrect the career of quarterback Will Levis, maximize the talents of receivers like DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks, and build a system that is both innovative and physically imposing—a true “Robert Saleh” offense.

Analyzing the Fit with Robert Saleh’s Vision

The potential partnership between new head coach Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll is a compelling one on paper. Saleh, a defensive mastermind, understands that to win in today’s NFL, he needs a dynamic, self-sufficient offense that can score points and control tempo. His hiring philosophy points toward a CEO-style head coach who empowers strong coordinators.

Daboll would provide that in spades. Saleh can focus on rebuilding the Titans’ defensive identity—a task for which he is supremely qualified—while handing the offensive keys to a seasoned, play-calling veteran with head-coaching experience. This dynamic mirrors successful pairings across the league, where a defensive head coach pairs with an experienced, aggressive offensive coordinator. The potential for a clear, empowered chain of command on offense is a significant selling point for Daboll, who dealt with front-office turbulence in New York.

The philosophical alignment is also key. Saleh wants a physically tough team that can also explode for big plays. Daboll’s offenses, even the pass-heavy ones in Buffalo, were never finesse; they were built on precision, timing, and the threat of verticality. Integrating the Titans’ traditional emphasis on the run with a more sophisticated passing game would be the central challenge and the exciting opportunity of this union.

Predictions and Implications for the 2024 Season

If the Titans land Brian Daboll, the immediate implications for the 2024 season are profound. The entire offseason approach would shift under his influence.

First, the evaluation of Will Levis would begin in earnest under a quarterback expert. The Titans would likely use free agency and the draft to aggressively upgrade the offensive line and receiving corps to Daboll’s specifications, prioritizing athleticism and versatility. Players like Tyjae Spears could see their receiving role expand dramatically in a Daboll scheme.

Second, the Titans’ offensive identity would undergo a public metamorphosis. Expect a much heavier usage of pre-snap motion, run-pass option (RPO) concepts, and a passing game that attacks all levels of the field. The days of predictable, static formations would likely be over.

Finally, the pressure would immediately mount on the AFC South. The Houston Texans have exploded onto the scene with a young offensive core, and the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts have invested heavily in offensive weapons. Hiring Daboll would be Tennessee’s counterpunch—a declaration that they intend to compete in the modern offensive arms race. The development of Will Levis would become the central storyline of the Titans’ season, for better or worse.

A High-Risk, High-Reward Gambit for All Parties

The reported plan to hire Brian Daboll is a calculated and ambitious gamble by the Tennessee Titans. They are betting that the Daboll who revolutionized Josh Allen’s game is the true version, not the coach who struggled with the Giants’ organizational woes. For Daboll, it’s an opportunity to return to his roots as a play-caller and prove his Coach of the Year season was no fluke, rebuilding his value away from the New York spotlight.

All eyes now turn to the Las Vegas Raiders’ ownership. Their decision will set this entire sequence in motion. If they pass on Daboll, the Titans are poised to secure one of the most coveted offensive coordinators on the market—a hire that would instantly elevate the optimism and expectations in Nashville. For a franchise at a crossroads, seeking to blend its tough-minded tradition with a 21st-century offense, Brian Daboll represents the perfect architect. The Titans are waiting, playbook in hand, hoping the final call from Vegas goes their way.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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