Get ready for a potential shockwave in the NFL: The Tennessee Titans are reportedly on the verge of naming Robert Saleh, the San Francisco 49ers' defensive mastermind, as their new head coach! This move comes after a whirlwind of interviews and a clear signal that the Titans are looking to shake things up in a big way. But here's where it gets controversial... Saleh's recent history isn't exactly a string of Super Bowl victories.
According to sources at The Athletic, the Titans are finalizing the agreement to bring Saleh to Nashville. For those unfamiliar, Saleh, who is 46, previously helmed the New York Jets from 2021 until he was let go during the 2024 season. His record with the Jets? A less-than-stellar 20 wins against 36 losses, and, crucially, zero playoff appearances. After his time with the Jets, he spent some time as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers before heading back to the 49ers in 2025 for a second stint as their defensive coordinator (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6734853/2025/10/24/robert-saleh-49ers-defensive-coordinator-jets-head-coach/).
The Titans' interest in Saleh ramped up quickly. They initially planned a virtual interview for Sunday night but then pivoted to an in-person meeting on Monday, signaling their serious interest. Tennessee was also keen on interviewing Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley (who, coincidentally, landed the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins earlier Monday, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6979675/2026/01/19/dolphins-hire-jeff-hafley-head-coach/) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The fact that they chose Saleh over these other candidates speaks volumes.
General manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker have been incredibly busy these past few weeks. The Titans cast a wide net, requesting interviews with a league-leading number of candidates. This included not only coordinators like Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, but also seasoned former head coaches like Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy. The Titans even had their sights set on coaches John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski. However, these two, formerly of the AFC North, reached agreements with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, before the Titans could get a meeting.
Despite some key injuries on the 49ers' defense – notably, the absence of pass rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner for significant portions of the 2025 season – Saleh's unit managed to keep opponents to a respectable 21.8 points per game, ranking 13th in the NFL. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to anticipate Saleh's departure, acknowledging that it was only a matter of time before he received another head coaching opportunity.
Shanahan stated, "Saleh’s that good anyway. Regardless of what happens today or what happens next week, I know it’s a matter of time before Saleh’s a head coach again." This begs the question: What does Shanahan see in Saleh that the rest of us might be missing?
Saleh's recent years have been marked by adversity, from the challenges of navigating the Jets' organizational issues to dealing with key injuries on the 49ers. He now inherits a Titans team that's seeking a fresh start after parting ways with Mike Vrabel in 2023. Vrabel had previously led the franchise to three playoff appearances, including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2019.
The Titans desperately need a defensive turnaround after ranking among the league's worst in points allowed in 2025. Saleh's coaching staff selections will be critical, as the organization aims to build on the potential shown by quarterback Cam Ward, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ward ended the season on a high note, throwing for two touchdowns in each of his final four full games. Looking ahead, the Titans have a league-leading $100 million-plus in salary cap space (according to Spotrac, https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap) and the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft. This gives Saleh considerable resources to rebuild the team quickly. And this is the part most people miss... the Titans are poised to make a HUGE splash in free agency!
Saleh will become the 20th head coach in Titans history and the sixth since the franchise relocated from Houston. He succeeds Brian Callahan, who was fired in October (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6671138/2025/10/13/titans-fire-brian-callahan-nfl/). The Titans haven't reached the playoffs since 2021, and their last Super Bowl appearance was that painful loss to the St. Louis Rams back in 1999.
So, what do you think? Is Robert Saleh the right man to lead the Titans back to glory? Can he overcome his past struggles and build a winning culture in Tennessee? Or is this another risky gamble that could set the franchise back even further? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
