Updated Jan. 20, 2026, 3:49 p.m. ET
(This story was updated to add new information.)
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ division rival, the Tennessee Titans, have reportedly hired Robert Salen to be their next head coach.
This will be Saleh’s second stint as an NFL head coach. He spent three-plus seasons with the New York Jets, compiling a 20-36 record during that span with no playoff appearances.
Saleh’s coaching background is rooted in the defensive side of the ball. Despite the lack of team success with the Jets, the defense was often very formidable.
So the first question becomes, can Saleh find that kind of success defensively in Tennessee?
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For what it’s worth, and it is only a one-game sample size, but against Saleh’s defense with the 49ers early this season, the Jaguars‘ offense did put up 26 points, with the help of four takeaways by the Jacksonville defense. The Jaguars’ offense totaled 325 yards at 5.2 yards per play.
This past season, leading the 49ers’ defense, San Francisco ranked 15th in points per game allowed.
In order to maximize Cam Ward’s potential on the offensive side of the ball for the Titans, it will be vital that Saleh finds the right offensive coordinator.
Going beyond the hiring of Saleh, there is still work to be done when it comes to reshaping the Titans’ roster.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Titans prioritized “a reset of the organization’s culture” by hiring Saleh.