After another losing season for the Tennessee Titans despite getting the quarterback they wanted at No. 1 in the NFL Draft, the team desperately needed a new head coach to help rediscover success.
Late on Monday evening, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Titans were working on a deal to hire Robert Saleh for the position, following his time as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator.
Saleh, 46, has extensive experience as a defensive coordinator, defensive quality control coach, and linebackers coach, as well as several seasons as the New York Jets head coach. He was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, then took on a head-coaching role with the Jets.
He served as the team’s head coach from 2021 through 2024, posting an overall record of 20-36 with no winning seasons or playoff appearances. The team fired him in 2024 amid a 2-3 start to their season.
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Saleh then worked briefly as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers before joining the San Francisco 49ers’ staff again last year.
With a 12-5 record, the team reached this year’s postseason and, despite a solid defensive showing against the Philadelphia Eagles in their Wild Card game, fell 41-6 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round.
The former Jets head coach and 49ers DC was considered a candidate for other NFL jobs, having interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins for their head coaching vacancies.
Once a deal is finalized, he’ll coach a Titans team full of talent, including last year’s No. 1 draft pick, quarterback Cam Ward, and try to improve on this past season’s disappointing 3-14 record.
The Titans also head into the upcoming NFL Draft with the No. 4 pick, but have many needs to address. Along with needing a wide receiver for Ward to throw to, they could also improve their defense by drafting a cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, or edge.
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