First-year Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh hired Brian Daboll to be his offensive coordinator. Because Saleh is a defensive-minded coach, Daboll will essentially possess complete autonomy over the offense. He's spent the offseason installing the scheme, and the offense is practicing under his guidance at OTAs.
At one of his earliest press conferences, Saleh discussed appreciating that Daboll's offense differs from a lot of NFL units right now. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay began a league-wide trend years ago by succeeding with zone-based systems. More multiple and versatile than that, Daboll's offense isn't traditionally rooted in zone concepts, though it can occasionally incorporate them.
There's another offensive trend completely sweeping the NFL, and it's once again being spearheaded by Coach McVay with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams used multi-tight end sets at a historic rate last campaign. The Titans' offensive personnel appear built to buck that trend in 2026.
Brian Daboll's Titans offense appears built to go against the grain in 2026
The Rams used 13 personnel (three tight ends) on roughly 30% of their offensive snaps last campaign, according to data collected by Sumer Sports. That 13 personnel usage was more than double the next-closest offense (Pittsburgh Steelers at 13.2%). This caused a chain-reaction around the NFL.
The Rams seemingly doubled down on that strategy this offseason by drafting tight end Max Klare in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, one year after drafting another tight end in last year's second round. The Titans saw their AFC South rival Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars arguably overdraft tight ends in the opening 64 selections, too. It's worth noting Jaguars GM James Gladstone is a Les Snead/McVay disciple.
While several adversaries focused on strengthening their depth charts at tight end this offseason, the Titans poured significantly more resources into the wide receiver position. They drafted Carnell Tate at No. 4 overall and paid Wan'Dale Robinson $70 million to follow Daboll to Tennessee. With Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike, and Elic Ayomanor also in the fold, the Titans are deeper at receiver than they've been in a long time.
The Tennessee Titans are shifting the offense under OC Brian Daboll
The Titans appear better suited to utilize 11 personnel with three receivers for Cam Ward. Though Daboll was fired by the New York Giants roughly midway through 2025, they ranked 14th in 11 personnel usage last season, utilizing that package on 60.46% of their offensive plays. By comparison, they only used the Rams' cutting-edge 13 personnel on 5.07% of snaps.
The interesting middle ground is 12 personnel (two tight ends). The Titans only utilized those looks on 16.53% of offensive snaps under Brian Callahan and Mike McCoy last season despite having Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm. By comparison, Daboll's Giants ran 12 personnel at the near-double rate of 32.53%.
The Titans paid free-agent tight end Daniel Bellinger handsomely to reunite with Daboll in Tennessee. They're also expecting a sophomore jump from Helm. The Titans lack the depth to go 13 personnel with any regularity, but an increase in 12 personnel feels likely.
The NFL is a copycat league. The latest zone-based phenomenon was born due to McVay and Shanahan, and offseason activity indicates heavy tight end sets are coming to copy what McVay revealed in 2025. Saleh wants Daboll's offense to zig where the rest of the league zags.
The Titans' offense appears built around its receiver depth, which should play to Ward's strengths as a passer. Ultimately, Daboll will be judged on Ward's progress at quarterback. Daboll could be getting ready to buck a league-wide trend.
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