The Titans are coming off another forgettable season, recording a 3-14 record for the second consecutive year. That lack of progress prompted the front office to overhaul the coaching staff and Daboll’s arrival is specifically designed to maximize the potential of Ward, who is coming off a solid rookie campaign and described Daboll with three words.

“He’s a fiery coach,” the Titans QB said, via the team’s website. “He is going to get on my a— when he needs to, and he is going to hold me to a high standard. And that’s the standard I want to be held to”.

Ward’s first season in the NFL was a bright spot despite the team’s overall finish. The rookie completed 323-of-540 passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, posting a passer rating of 80.3. He also added 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Furthermore, Ward etched his name into the franchise record books. His 540 passing attempts now rank as the third-highest single-season total in team history, trailing only Warren Moon, who recorded 655 attempts in 1991 and 584 in 1990.

Ward on Saleh’s hiring

After a dismal season that left the franchise searching for answers, the Titans have turned to Robert Saleh to lead their rebuilding effort. Saleh arrives in Nashville with a sterling reputation, most recently serving as the architect of San Francisco 49ers‘ defense.

Ward was quick to voice his approval of the move, viewing Saleh’s arrival as a vital step in the Titans’ evolution. The young passer emphasized that this isn’t just about a change in the coaching office, but about establishing a connection that can transform the team’s fortunes in every game.

“I think it’s a great hire, especially for the team and where we want to be identity-wise, what we want to put on the field…” Ward said of Saleh. “So, I am excited to have him as my head coach, and excited to get some wins for him. It has been good getting to know him, especially him starting to learn more about me, and me learning more about him. We want to create that relationship and be able to carry it over onto the field”.

There are only three teams left without a head coach, and the Raiders are one of them. Unfortunately for Las Vegas, they were hit with worrying news on Tuesday, as one of their top candidates decided to take his talents elsewhere.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that Brian Daboll—who won five Super Bowls as an assistant coach with the New England Patriots—has decided to join the Tennessee Titans as offensive coordinator. That leaves the Raiders with one fewer option in their search.

The Raiders are running out of top options

Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported that Brian Daboll was seriously considering joining the Titans, though a head coaching opportunity with the Raiders appeared more attractive on paper.

However, it seems either Tennessee made him a better offer or Las Vegas ultimately chose not to pursue him further. Daboll was widely viewed as a top candidate, especially given the possibility of reuniting with Tom Brady, with whom he won five Super Bowls in New England.

According to NFL Media, the Raiders interviewed Brian Daboll twice. Still, talks did not progress as expected, and he will now join forces with Robert Saleh in Tennessee.

The Titans are building a strong team

The Titans didn’t just land one of the league’s top offensive minds in Brian Daboll—they also hired Robert Saleh as head coach, whose defensive expertise is considered elite. That combination could make Tennessee a team to watch in 2026.

With Cam Ward at quarterback, the Titans showed improvement in 2025. Now, with a strong coaching staff, a promising signal-caller, and significant cap space heading into 2026, Tennessee could look very different next season.

Amid all the breaking news that the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Raiders held an interview with Brian Daboll. The Raiders have one of four head coaching vacancies. The team already fulfilled the Rooney Rule, hence they are able to hire the best candidate.

Daboll is a very coveted name on the market. He is also in the mix to be the Bills HC. but Daboll has other alternatives too. Hence, it will take some convincing and strong pitches to land him at Sin City.

Raiders are not among the top HC vacancies

The Buffalo Bills have the most wanted job right now. Arguably, the Cardinals could be the next one. Then, only the Browns and Raiders would remain. Now, the Raiders do have some edge over the Browns, but there are some similarities too.

For instance, both teams have a difference-maker pass-rusher. Both teams have stars at tight end (albeit Bowers being leagues above Fannin), and young, bright prospects at running back in Jeanty and Judkins. However, where the Raiders are better lie in two aspects. Living in Las Vegas is just more desirable than going to Cleveland, and the Raiders have the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, which is presumably Fernando Mendoza’s desired destination.

Raiders need to solve the HC problem as soon as possible

Not only are the Raiders running out of top prospects to hire, but the NFL Draft is in April and they must have the head coach ready to go and with plenty of time to scout other prospects, and of course, approve of Mendoza.

Having the first overall pick is an absolute gamechanger for a team that would otherwise not have that much allure. Hence, if Tom Brady manages to hire Brian Daboll, the former Giants coach will have a top prospect to work with. But, they would need to make a very good offer to convince him.

However, it appears that the Eagles know this could be a long shot. Not only is Philadelphia aware that Daboll is more interested in the Bills HC job, but it also looks like his first alternative if Buffalo doesn’t hire him is to take the Tennessee Titans’ OC role.

“The Eagles are conducting their offensive coordinator search with the understanding that Brian Daboll wants the Bills’ head coaching job. If he doesn’t land it, Daboll is expected to wind up in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator for Cam Ward and the Titans, per sources,” NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic wrote on X.

Brian Daboll’s experience with Josh Allen’s Bills

It’s safe to say that Daboll’s priority would be to have a second chance at head coaching, especially if that opportunity comes from the Bills―a team he’s already familiar with and where he can work with a quarterback of Allen‘s caliber.

Daboll succeeded as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, unlocking Allen’s best version and helping the quarterback become the NFL star he is today. In fact, his impressive job with the Bills allowed Daboll to get his first head coaching opportunity with the New York Giants, helming the Big Apple team from 2022 until his firing early in 2025.

His offensive mind is now drawing interest around the league, and the possibility of overseeing the Bills might be the most exciting option this year. But if Buffalo takes another direction, Daboll will still have options, though not many as head coach.

Eagles and Titans OC jobs emerge as alternative options for Daboll

Instead, he would have to settle with returning to the NFL as an OC. In that scenario, the Eagles are an appealing destination with an offense led by Jalen Hurts that won the Super Bowl last year.

However, even though the Titans are a work in progress, Daboll also has reasons to consider a move to Nashville. With defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh taking the reins for 2026, Tennessee is building for the future around 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward, and Daboll’s input could help the team in its quest for prominence.

It may be a bit soon to tell, as Daboll currently has multiple options on the table. A reunion with Allen on the Bills will probably be priority, but if it doesn’t materialize, Daboll will still have interesting alternatives for 2026.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, it’s expected that Brian Daboll interviews for the Eagles OC job. Daboll is one of the most sought out names on the market right now. The former Coach of the Year could also go to be an offensive coordinator for Justin Herbert’s Chargers though.

Daboll was fired midseason after three-and-a-half seasons with the Giants. He did have bright moments, though there were also plenty of moments were he looked overwhelmed. Also important to note, the Giants didn’t give Daboll the best hand to succeed.

Daboll’s temperament could also not match well in Philly

Daboll is known for having a temper, and that might not be what the Eagles need right now. After all, the team looks like a ticking bomb with AJ Brown making tantrums, Jalen Hurts being passive aggressive on the podium or head coach Nick Sirianni publicly confronting his players. A guy like Daboll might be the one who puts everyone on their place, or joins the mess. It’s a risky spot.

As for his abilities as a playcaller, the fact is the Eagles do possess talent that Daboll could exploit. Daboll loves using crossing routes and RPOs, a playbook where Jalen Hurts could absolutely thrive in.

The Eagles have the tools to bounce back

The fact is roster-wise, the Eagles have all the tools to go back into Super Bowl contention. The problem is the drama within their building. If they somehow manage to make peace and find stability to balance their egos, this team could be once again considered a total juggernaut.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Chargers are set to interview Brian Daboll for the OC job. However, it won’t go without any competition, as Daboll interviewed Friday for the Titans head coaching job and other teams have looked at him as potential OC.

However, the Chargers also have another former AFC coach as a possible OC, so Daboll is not the only option, though an intriguing one. Daboll was dismissed mid-season as the New York Giants head coach.

Daboll as an OC would be ideal for the Chargers

Daboll’s reputation rose as fast as minute rice during Josh Allen’s second season in the NFL. He was basically a bust until Daboll transformed him into an actual superstar. He then made Daniel Jones look good in his first year as Giants HC and even won a playoff game, which earned him COTY honors.

While Herbert doesn’t need salvation as a player, he does need help in terms of scheme. Greg Roman had a very pedestrian playbook, and Daboll’s cleverness could be what finally makes Herbert take another step towards playoffs success.

Daboll has key strenghts to bolster this offense

What sets Daboll apart is his ability to use crossing routes and RPOs to create easy throws and mismatches. While Herbert is not a dual-threat quarterback like Allen, Jones, or even Jaxson Dart, he still can run. Herbert also has arguably the most accurate arm of all this, with Allen being the other one. What it’s true, is that Daboll has shown plenty of successful ideas when paired with an elite QB.

According to NBC Sports, a source close to the Giants’ front office says the team hasn’t discarded going out and trading for another head coach. This is not a common thing to do, in fact, it’s unpopular, but the Giants are desperate.

After Daboll, the Giants know they need to nail this decision, as they do have a competitive roster and plenty of young talent to develop. As a matter of fact, it’s not an unappetizing job.

The Giants must focus on bringing an offensive mind

The three best talents the Giants have right now are offensive players. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Hence, the new head coach must be an offensive savant to the highest of levels to develop the young talent they have.

Names like Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Colts’ offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman are some of the most notable names. However, none of them would need a trade to happen.

How does a trade for a head coach work?

When a team trades for a head coach, it’s different than trading for a player. In this case, for instance, the Giants contact the team that employs the targeted coach. Then, the team must want to engage in a deal to negotiate the rights for said coach. The final step is that the coach has a say on whether he wants to leave or not.

This is different from player trades, where the player has no say and can’t deny the trade. Coaches get more power in that way. Hence, if the coach doesn’t want to go, the trade doesn’t happen.

Interim head coach Mike Kafka made the decision immediately in his first week running the team. Kafka didn’t hesitate to enforce discipline, making it clear that accountability would not be optional. Carter acknowledged his mistake, saying, “I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team… that was the consequence, so I had to live with it.”

Duggan also reported that being late to meetings had become a trend throughout Carter’s rookie season, something former head coach Brian Daboll “often let slide.” That history of leniency set the stage for this week’s firmer response.

Carter disputes part of the story

Carter pushed back, insisting he was not asleep. Posting on social media, he wrote, “Was not sleep, actually doing recovery… nonetheless that’s on ME!” His message acknowledged accountability while challenging the narrative around the incident.

Despite the benching, Carter returned immediately after the Giants’ opening defensive series and played every snap for the rest of the game. Through his rookie season, Carter has totaled 23 combined tackles, 12 solo, along with 9 quarterback hits, with his best game coming against the Eagles when he posted five tackles.

The incident marks a notable moment in Carter’s first year, especially as the Giants transition from Daboll’s leadership to Kafka’s. Whether this becomes a turning point or another chapter in a rocky rookie season remains to be seen. But as Duggan’s reporting made clear, this was an issue building for months and one the new staff is no longer willing to overlook.

Cam Skattebo burst onto the league this season, and his performance had raised hopes for a breakout year. However, a severe injury a few weeks ago not only sidelined the rookie for the remainder of this season but could also impact part of what’s ahead.

To the surprise of fans and critics alike, the former Arizona State running back took to social media with a major injury update, offering reassurance to Giants fans and hinting at a very positive recovery.

“I could like get pretty far honestly… I’m getting better every day. Every day, chat, it’s getting better,” Skattebo said via @camskattebo. While there’s still no certainty about a potential return, these statements suggest that his recovery is progressing as planned.

What injury did Skattebo suffer?

New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo’s promising debut season has come to an abrupt and devastating end after he suffered a severe lower body injury in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Skattebo was carted off the field after sustaining a dislocated ankle, a fibula fracture, and a ruptured deltoid ligament.

The injury was severe enough to require emergency surgery in Philadelphia shortly after the game. The fourth-round pick had been a bright spot for the Giants, accruing 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns along with 207 receiving yards and two scores through eight games. While his 2025 campaign is over, the Giants are optimistic he will make a full recovery and be ready for the start of the 2026 season.

Daboll’s departure

The New York Giants have fired head coach Brian Daboll, moving on from him midway through his fourth season after the team fell to a disappointing 2-8 record. Despite being named NFL Coach of the Year in his first season (2022) after leading the Giants to the playoffs, the team’s performance plummeted over the past two years.

The final straw came after the Giants blew yet another double-digit lead in a loss to the Chicago Bears, which marked their fourth such collapse of the season. Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka has been named the interim head coach.

While the Giants have initially named offensive coordinator Mike Kafka as their interim head coach, they could still look for a permanent head coach next year. With that in mind, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network believes Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would be a name to watch.

Spagnuolo, who turns 66 in December, has played an instrumental role in the Chiefs‘ success with Reid and Mahomes, helping the team win three Super Bowls since taking charge of the defense in 2019.

His name tends to be linked to head coaching openings when the NFL hits the offseason, and it wouldn’t be a surprise for this to happen again if the Giants search for an outside candidate.

Not only is Spagnuolo a respected coordinator in the league, but he also has experience working with the Giants. Before winning multiple Super Bowls with Reid and Mahomes in Kansas City, he earned a ring in NY.

Steve Spagnuolo’s experience with the NY Giants

In his first gig as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, Spagnuolo helped the Giants upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. New York’s defense held Tom Brady’s offense to just 14 points, preventing Bill Belichick’s team from completing a perfect season.

Spagnuolo’s work with Tom Coughlin in NY allowed him to earn an opportunity as a head coach in 2009, helming the St. Louis Rams until 2011. After stops with the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens, Spagnuolo returned to New York for a second stint with the Giants in 2015, holding the defensive coordinator job until 2017. He finished that season as the Giants’ interim head coach, with the team going 1-3 on his watch.

It might be a bit early to tell how serious the possibility of a reunion is, but the risk could exist for the Chiefs at the end of the season. Teams usually look at successful coaching staffs to name their next head coach, and Spagnuolo has been a coveted name around the league in recent years.

Reid, Mahomes already lost a Chiefs coach to Giants

Reid and Mahomes know how lucky they are to continue having Spags on the coaching staff, as Kansas City has seen a number of coaches leave to work elsewhere in recent years.

Kafka was one of them, as the Giants hired him as offensive coordinator after his contribution to the Chiefs’ offensive success. A former quarterback who played under Reid on the Philadelphia Eagles, Kafka reunited with Big Red in Kansas City to start his coaching career in the NFL in 2017.

Kafka initially joined the Chiefs as offensive quality control coach, earning a promotion to quarterbacks coach for Mahomes’ first year as starter in 2018. The success of that decision led the Chiefs to trust Kafka with more responsibilities, handing him the passing game coordinator duties in 2021.

Kafka went on to help Daboll revitalize the Giants’ offense in 2022, with the Giants eventually adding him the assistant head coach title two years later. Now, his role as interim HC could be an audition to earn the permament job in NY. If the Giants like what they see, they may not need to target Spagnuolo. But if Kafka isn’t the solution, then Reid and Mahomes could face a real possibility of losing their DC.

Mike Kafka was named the team’s interim head coach, and in an intriguing first move, he designated Jameis Winston as the franchise’s QB2 — giving him a real chance to see some action in the upcoming game against the Green Bay Packers.

The news was reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who, through his official X account (formerly Twitter), shared details of this major decision by Kafka — one that directly impacts Russell Wilson.

“The Giants, under new HC Mike Kafka, are elevating Jameis Winston to the No. 2 QB which puts him in line to start on Sunday vs the Packers should Jaxson Dart not be ready due to his concussion. Jameis time in New York.”

The Jaxson Dart situation

New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has officially entered the NFL’s concussion protocol following a head injury sustained during Sunday’s loss to the Bears. Dart was a crucial part of the offense before exiting, leaving his availability in doubt for the upcoming Week 11 matchup against the Packers.

The promising young signal-caller will have to clear all required medical steps before being permitted to return to the field, making his status for this week’s game highly uncertain.

A new era on the Giants

The New York Giants have abruptly fired head coach Brian Daboll, parting ways with the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year after a deeply disappointing 2-8 start to the season. The decision came just one day after falling to the Chicago Bears, the team’s latest heartbreaking loss, which sealed Daboll’s fate as ownership seeks an immediate change to salvage the franchise’s direction. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been named the interim head coach.