3 OC options Titans should consider after Chargers hire Mike McDaniel

After the Tennessee Titans watched the Los Angeles Chargers land Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator, attention in Nashville quickly shifted. The focus now rests on the franchise’s most consequential decision of the 2026 offseason—selecting its next offensive coordinator.

With Cam Ward entering his second season, the Titans’ rebuild now hinges on whether it can pair its young quarterback with the right offensive architect. Ward’s rookie year provided a comprehensive understanding of his potential and limitations, as demonstrated by his impressive numbers. He finished his first NFL season with a passer rating of 80.2, throwing for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 17 games. The foundation is there, but without proper guidance, it risks stagnation.

The hire must accomplish two goals simultaneously by accelerating Ward’s development while aligning with recently hired head coach Robert Saleh and his physical, disciplined vision for the franchise. The Titans are not searching for a place holder, they are searching for an identity-setter.

Three candidates stand out as natural fits for that responsibility. Brian Daboll, Kliff Kingsbury, and Bobby Slowik. Each brings a distinct approach, but all three offer a path toward turning Ward’s flashes into consistent production.

Daboll is the most proven option available. His tenure with the New York Giants ended in early November of 2025 after a 2–8 start to the season, but his resume as a quarterback whisperer is difficult to ignore. His work with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills remains one of the league’s clearest examples of raw talent evolving into elite performance. Ward’s rookie season showed similar traits—arm strength, mobility, and creativity—along with bouts of inconsistency. Daboll’s aggressive vertical concepts and emphasis on situational confidence could help the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback convert efficiency into sustained explosiveness. Even during a turbulent final stretch with the Giants, Daboll guided rookie Jaxson Dart to an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist finish, reinforcing his value as an offensive teacher.

Kingsbury offers a different appeal built on modern innovation. After parting ways with the Washington Commanders following the regular season, he comes off a 2024 season in which he turned Jayden Daniels into the league’s Rookie of the Year and helped guide the Commanders to an NFC Championship Game appearance. His evolution of the Air Raid into a more balanced, run-conscious system makes him far more adaptable than his earlier reputation suggests. For Ward, whose rookie numbers reflect cautious decision-making, Kingsbury’s spacing concepts and deep-shot designs could increase scoring output without sacrificing efficiency.

The most intriguing name, however, may be Bobby Slowik. Although his exit from the Houston Texans followed C.J. Stroud’s second-year regression, which temporarily lowered his profile, Slowik’s subsequent work with the Miami Dolphins restored his credibility. Serving as senior passing game coordinator under McDaniel in South Beach, Slowik helped sustain a top-five passing attack despite persistent offensive line issues—experience that closely mirrors the challenges the Titans faced during the 2025 season.

Slowik’s strongest asset is his shared history with Saleh. Both were part of the San Francisco 49ers’ staff that helped establish one of the league’s most cohesive systems under Kyle Shanahan. The philosophical alignment—built on play-action, tempo, and quarterback protection—could provide Ward with the structure he lacked as a rookie.

Ultimately, this decision will define the Titans’ direction. Ward’s rookie season showed promise, but promise alone does not win games. Whether Tennessee prioritizes Daboll’s experience, Kingsbury’s creativity, or Slowik’s system continuity, the next offensive coordinator will determine whether Ward develops into a franchise quarterback or becomes another missed opportunity.

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