After post-draft videos surfaced from the New York Giants’ war room, it became pretty clear who really wanted to draft quarterback Jaxson Dart... and who didn’t.
General manager Joe Schoen looked awful in the clip, essentially recusing himself from the decision and making sure everyone heard that it was ultimately former head coach Brian Daboll who made the call to trade up and select the Ole Miss standout at 25.
That led a lot of fans, analysts, and everyone else to assume Dart was Daboll’s guy -- the one he would willingly lose his job over if things went sideways. Well, things did go sideways, and Dabs did lose his job, leaving his future drifting out into a sea of uncertainty.
The 50-year-old wasn't short on options, ultimately deciding to take his talents to Nashville, where he’ll serve as the Tennessee Titans’ next offensive coordinator under Robert Saleh. There, he’ll get the chance to work with 2025’s first-overall pick Cam Ward, who turned out to be a big draw for Daboll.
Not only was Ward a major selling point, but a report from Jordan Schultz paints an entirely different narrative: that on draft night, Dart might’ve never been Daboll’s guy after all. He might’ve always been the consolation prize.
Brian Daboll chooses Cam Ward over Jaxson Dart in fresh start with Titans
According to Schultz, before the G-Men swung a trade with the Houston Texans to select Dart, they did everything they could to pry the first pick away from the Titans to get Ward.
It was reported they offered the No. 3 pick, a 2025 first-rounder, and multiple Day 2 picks to get a deal done, but Tennessee refused. But Daboll's interest in Ward was always in the background.
So, after being fired by the Giants midseason, Dabs reached out to Tennessee's GM, Mike Borgonzi, to express his interest in the Titans and their shiny new QB. The two had a prior working relationship in Kansas City back in 2012, when Daboll was the Chiefs' offensive coordinator.
Related: Giants better hope Brian Daboll doesn't lure this free agent to the Titans
As soon as the season ended, it was Daboll or bust for Borgonzi. He reportedly already made up his mind on the hire before they brought in Saleh. When the 47-year-old was hired as the head coach, he was already on board with bringing in Dabs as his OC, and the two put on a full-court press to land the ideal coach for Ward. And on Tuesday: Mission accomplished.
I'm not saying the former Giants HC intentionally blew it with the G-Men to land in Tennessee, but I'm also not ruling it out... yet... eyes emoji.
So much for this "Dart's Daboll's guy", huh? Apparently, it was Ward the entire time. And now Giants fans have to wonder if the quarterback they were told was his guy was ever really that guy at all.