In an exciting development for football fans, the Tennessee Titans are on the verge of securing Robert Saleh, the defensive coordinator from the San Francisco 49ers, as their next head coach. This news, reported late Monday night by NFL insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo, signals a significant shift for the Titans as they look to revitalize their team.
Initially, there was speculation that Saleh would be interviewing for the vacant head coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals. However, Tennessee has swiftly finalized their deal with him, marking a new chapter for the franchise.
At 46 years old, Saleh returns to a head coaching role following a second tenure as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. He previously led the New York Jets for three seasons (2021-2024), where he faced numerous challenges, particularly with quarterback performance, ultimately finishing with a 20-36 record.
Before his time with the Jets, Saleh established himself as a formidable defensive mind during his first stint with the 49ers from 2017 to 2020. His recent return to San Francisco was marred by significant injuries to key players like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Despite these setbacks, Saleh managed to guide the 49ers to a respectable 13th-ranked scoring defense in the league this past season.
The 49ers concluded the regular season with a strong 12-5 record and were in contention for the NFC's top seed. However, their aspirations were dashed in the final week when they lost to the Seattle Seahawks, a team that would later eliminate them in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Interestingly, it’s anticipated that Saleh will take charge of calling defensive plays for the Titans—this is a notable change, as he did not have that responsibility during his time as head coach with the Jets. His ability to lead defensively was a significant factor in his hiring, especially given the Titans’ struggles last season where they ranked 28th in points allowed per game at 28.1.
Saleh was a hot commodity in this year’s coaching search, impressing various teams during interviews. In Tennessee, he caught the attention of decision-makers who also spoke with former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Notably, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner expressed his disappointment at the possibility of Saleh leaving, indicating how much the team valued his leadership.
The Titans' decision to bring in Saleh comes after a challenging season that saw them part ways with former head coach Brian Callahan following a dismal 1-5 start. The team ended the 2025 season with a 3-14 record and now holds the fourth overall pick in the impending NFL Draft. Last season, they used the first overall pick to select quarterback Cam Ward, who had a promising rookie year with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
With Saleh’s arrival, it appears the Titans are firmly focused on strengthening their defense, setting the stage for an intriguing offseason. Moreover, the team's front office underwent restructuring recently, placing general manager Mike Borgonzi in charge of the roster and the head coaching search.
As the Titans transition into this new era under Saleh, fans and analysts alike are left to ponder: Will this coaching change be the catalyst the Titans need to turn their fortunes around? What impact will Saleh's proven track record have on a struggling defense? Share your thoughts below!
