ESPN analyst glows over Titans offensive transformation with Cam Ward, Brian Daboll marriage, and new weapon Carnell Tate
Former NFL quarterback turned analyst Chase Daniel went on ESPN’s NFL Live show and couldn’t speak more optimistically on how Brian Daboll, plus, Cam Ward transform the Tennessee Titans offense together
The Tennessee Titans wrapped up the second installment of rookie minicamp on Saturday, and while second year quarterback Cam Ward wasn’t on the field, or visible to the local media, he was still very much a focal point of the day.
First-year Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll met with media before practice and discussed his inital impression of working with Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“(Ward is) a young professional,” Daboll said. “He wants to be great. He’s instinctive. When we’re just watching the tape, he’s able to communicate the things that he sees and why he did certain things. When we watched the tape from last year, when we’re installing the new system. He picks it up very quickly.”
It’s been highly discussed how much Daboll wanted Ward as the head coach of the New York Giants, and the pre-draft process from over a year ago is having early positive returns.
“It’s very it’s been a it’s been awesome to work with him… but again, I had a little bit of relationship with him leading up to the draft last year.”
ESPN’s Chase Daniel says Daboll will “make it easy” for Cam Ward’s year two growth
Longtime NFL backup QB Chase Daniel went on NFL Live this week and asked why people around the league aren’t talking more about what Daboll and Ward can do together.
“(Daboll) is going to completely transform this offense. They’re going to play both horizontally and vertically [and] they’re going to throw the football down the field. They’re going to bring in some RPOs. Daboll’s offense is rooted in route based concepts and pure progression passing, and makes it easy on a quarterback. You saw what he was able to do with Josh Allen.”
“The last eight games of the year, Cam Ward showed to me and show to the world that He is the franchise quarterback.”
Chase daniel
On ESPN's NFL LIVE
Daniel also raved about the Titans adding two big new receiver weapons in fourth overall draft pick WR Carnell Tate and free agent WR Wan’Dale Robinson. Last season, Ward’s pass catchers ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in both separation created, and drop rate.
“All these guys add up to a team that you know you’re surrounding your guy with weapons. That just told me number four overall, Carnell Tate. No one had him mocked there, but the Tennessee Titans. (General Manager) Mike Borgonzi, he’s a Chiefs guy. He knows how to build teams. You got to surround your franchise quarterback with players. That’s exactly what he did.”
Cam Ward’s final eight games of rookie season (vs his first nine)
The Titans bye week in early November was the clear turning point for Ward’s rookie season
- Completion Percentage: 63% (57.6%)
- Touchdowns to Interceptions: 10 TDs to 1 INT (5 to 6)
- Rushing yards, rush TDs: 113 yards, 2 TDs (46 yards, 0 TDs)
Daboll shares early thoughts on Carnell Tate’s WR traits
“You know, G-Lew (Greg Lewis) really liked him, our receiver coach. In terms of the evaluation process, we had him on 30 visit,” Daboll said. “Very mature young man has has a good skill set, can do a lot of different things. Again, we’re gonna have to get him out there and get going with the vets a couple weeks coming back, but again, contested catches, run routes, has good body quickness for bigger, longer guy was productive player, and we’re happy to have him.”
The Titans will be back with rookies joining the vets for the organized team activities (OTAs) in two weeks where we’ll get to see these new offensive weapons and coaches start to put it together on the grass.