Brian Daboll’s Unusual Journey with Cam Ward

It seems Brian Daboll attempted to mislead the Titans, hoping they would let Cam Ward slip through their fingers, before his connection with Jackson Dart truly began. It’s a bit ironic, though, since Daboll is now coaching Ward as the Titans’ offensive coordinator, after being let go as the Giants’ head coach in Dart’s rookie season.

“You know, Brian actually tried to convince me not to draft him last year,” Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi shared, chuckling. He was speaking on NFL Network about their chat during the 2025 NFL Combine. “I just went out for coffee and returned, and there he was, saying, ‘Get someone else. This guy isn’t someone you want.’ It’s funny looking back, really.”

But who was this enigmatic player he referenced?

Well, perhaps it was the Heisman-winning Travis Hunter, who faced a tough rookie season with injuries after being picked second overall by the Jaguars. Or maybe it was Abdul Carter, the pass rusher the Giants selected with the third pick. Dart, who the Giants traded up to snag at No. 25, was also in that mix.

If the Titans had let Ward go, there’s a chance the Browns may have picked him up instead of dealing the No. 2 pick to the Jaguars.

In fact, the Giants did reportedly try to trade up from the third spot to first, offering a future first-round pick to secure Ward, but the Titans weren’t having it. In the end, it seems to have worked out for the Giants. Dart had a standout rookie year, while Carter had a solid finish to his season—though things didn’t fare quite as well for Daboll.

Borgonzi and Daboll have known each other since at least 2012, when Borgonzi was scouting for the Chiefs, and Daboll was an offensive coordinator under head coach Romeo Crennel.

As for the Titans, head coach Robert Saleh is now paired with a quarterback he desired—Ward—during his time with the Jets, along with a savvy offensive play-caller in Daboll to aid in his development.

And, notably, Daboll has also brought former Giants quarterbacks coach Shay Tierney along to the Titans. “They worked together with Ward last offseason,” Borgonzi commented. “They had a clear vision for him, and that’s really crucial.”