With Ward gone, Big Blue instead selected pass rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick, then dipped into the QB waters with Jaxson Dart at 25th overall.

Dart appears to have the makings of a franchise signal-caller for New York, but Daboll won’t have a chance to oversee his maturation. Daboll was fired 10 weeks into last season after starting 2-8, a serendipitous departure that now has him in position to coach up Ward.

Though Borgonzi told his Daboll story in a joking manner, the team’s OC is serious regarding his affection for Ward.

During his introductory news conference on Feb. 18, Daboll noted Ward was a big factor in his decision to join head coach Robert Saleh’s staff and expressed how much confidence he has in the 23-year-old.

Ward endured a tougher rookie season than Dart. He perhaps has more still to prove, along with the added pressure of being a No. 1 pick, but he finished his first year in Tennessee strong.

After managing only seven touchdown passes across his first 12 starts, Ward threw eight from Week 14-17, tossing two scores in each contest during a four-game hot streak. He exited the regular-season finale with an injury to his right throwing shoulder, but he showed glimpses down the stretch that have Titans brass optimistic. He’s also coming along well in his recovery.

“He’s trending well,” Borgonzi said of Ward at his Wednesday NFL Scouting Combine news conference. “He’s tracking well for the offseason.”

Once Ward’s shoulder is 100% and teams begin their offseason programs, Daboll can begin molding the one that briefly got away into a winner for the Titans.