With Ward gone, Big Blue instead selected pass rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick, then dipped into the QB waters with Jaxson Dart at No. 25 overall.
Dart appears to have the makings to be a franchise-caller in New York, but Daboll won’t have the opportunity to oversee his development. Daboll was fired 10 weeks into last season after a 2-8 start, an alarming exit that now has him in position to coach Ward.
While Borgonzi told Daboll his story in jest, the team’s OC is serious about his love for Ward.
At his introductory press conference on February 18, Daboll said Ward was a big factor in his decision to join coach Robert Saleh and expressed how much confidence he has in the 23-year-old.
Ward endured a tougher rookie season than Dart. He may have more to prove, along with the added pressure of being the No. 1 overall pick, but he finished his first year at Tennessee strong.
After catching just seven touchdown passes over his first 12 starts, Ward threw eight from Weeks 14-17 and scored two in each contest during a four-game hot streak. He exited the regular-season finale with an injury to his right throwing shoulder, but he showed glimpses down the stretch that have Titans brass optimistic. He is also doing well in his recovery.
“He’s progressing well,” Borgonzi said of Ward at Wednesday’s NFL Scouting Combine press conference. “He is watching closely for the summer.
Once Ward’s shoulder is back to 100% and teams begin their offseason programs, Daboll can begin to mold the shortstop into a winner for the Titans.