Daboll may not have been made for the big chair, but he can coach an offense. In his final two years in Buffalo, the Bills boasted a top-five offense. He has also orchestrated the run game well, which should help Ward. In 12 seasons as an NFL OC or head coach, the offenses he was a part of finished in the top 10 in rushing yards seven times.
Getting an experienced play-caller was essential for the Titans, especially after Brian Callahan’s debacle. Ward showed flashes of stardom, but inconsistency led to a rocky first campaign with Callahan, before the coach was fired. Daboll is now tasked with leveling the playing field and taking Ward to the next level.
The pairing is also ideal for Saleh as he takes his second shot at the head coaching chair.
Mike LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett led the Jets offense under Saleh. Daboll’s experience suggests that shouldn’t be a problem this time around.
Hiring an OC who can work mostly independently will allow Saleh to focus on improving a Titans defense that struggled a lot. The Saleh-Daboll setup could take a similar approach to what Saleh and Kyle Shanahan enjoyed this season in San Francisco, with each taking ownership on their side of the ball.