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NFL Legend J.J. Watt gave kudos to Robert Saleh and the Tennessee Titans coaching staff on ESPN’s Pat McAfee show.
The Tennessee Titans are getting national recognition for their coaching staff overhaul, and it’s coming from some unexpected voices in the media. During his appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday, NFL legend J.J. Watt praised Tennessee’s recent coaching moves, telling the show’s audience that the Titans have “built a nice staff there, man. Tennessee has built a nice staff there.”
“The Titans have built a good staff in Tennessee..
I like Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll” ~ @JJWatt
#PMSLive
The comment came during a week when the NFL’s coaching carousel news cycle was overshadowed by the shocking development that Bill Belichick wouldn’t be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The Titans’ aggressive staff construction under first-year head coach Robert Saleh managed to break through the noise.
NFL Legend J.J. Watt Says Tennessee Titans Built “Nice Staff” on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show
Watt isn’t alone in his assessment. Multiple national voices have weighed in positively on the Titans’ recent coaching decisions.
NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho took to X to praise the new Tennessee Titans pairing: “Robert Saleh + Brian Daboll = Top 5 offensive/Defensive combination in football.”
Fantasy football analyst Michael F. Florio also highlighted what the offensive coordinator hire means for Tennessee’s franchise quarterback: “The biggest winner (imo) of the Bills hiring Joe Brady is Cam Ward as long as Brian Daboll ends up his OC. Worked wonders with a young Josh Allen, Jaxson Dart loved Daboll, and was playing well under him. Ward and the Titans arrow potentially big time pointing up.”
Josh Allen broke out under him. Daniel Jones had his (first?) breakout season under him. Jaxson Dart was playing great under him.
Most cap, early picks. As I’ve been saying, lots of reasons to get excited about Cam Ward and the Titans https://t.co/gk6PaebkUw
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) January 27, 2026
Titans Continue Staff Overhaul Following Saleh Hire
The national attention comes after Tennessee finalized the hiring of former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator on Tuesday. The move pairs Saleh with one of the NFL’s most accomplished offensive minds to develop first overall pick Cam Ward, who threw for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his rookie season.
Daboll brings extensive quarterback development credentials, most notably transforming Buffalo’s Josh Allen from a raw prospect to an MVP candidate during his four-year stint as Bills offensive coordinator from 2018-21. That success earned Daboll the Giants’ head coaching job in 2022, where he won NFL Coach of the Year honors after leading New York to an 11-6 record and playoff appearance in his first season.
Earlier this week, Tennessee also landed former Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who reunites with Saleh after working together at three previous stops: Jacksonville (2014-2016), San Francisco (2020), and New York (2021-2024). Whitecotton was instrumental in developing Quinnen Williams into an All-Pro defensive tackle during their time together with the Jets.
The defensive line hire carries extra significance given Tennessee’s need to maximize All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons, who recorded 67 tackles and a career-high 11.0 sacks across 15 games in 2025. Simmons has been vocal about the team needing a culture change after the Brian Callahan era ended with a 4-19 record.
Bill Belichick Hall of Fame Snub, Browns Hire Causes National Stir
Watt’s comments on “The Pat McAfee Show” also referenced how the NFL’s coaching carousel has been pushed down the media ladder this week, despite significant developments like the Cleveland Browns hiring Todd Monken as head coach on Wednesday.
“We just had two championship games on Sunday,” Watt noted. “Everything that comes with that. We know who’s going to the Super Bowl. We have head coaching hires going left and right, and those things are pushed down the media ladder because we have a bigger story on our hand.”
The “bigger story” Watt referenced was the shocking news that former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick fell short of the votes needed for Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in his first year of eligibility, a development that stunned the football world and dominated headlines throughout the week.
Watt also mentioned that Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz—who interviewed twice for Cleveland’s head coaching job—is now reportedly available after the Monken hire. “I saw today the Browns obviously hired Monken, Jim Schwartz, in my opinion, then seemingly would be available because I believe he interviewed twice for the Brown’s head coaching job this cycle and didn’t get it,” Watt said.
What National Recognition Means for Titans’ Future
For a franchise coming off a 3-14 season, the positive national media attention represents a significant shift in perception. Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi has rebuilt the organization since taking over in January 2025, landing Ward at No. 1 overall and constructing a coaching staff that’s drawing praise from respected voices across the league.
The Titans enter the 2026 offseason with over $100 million in salary cap space and a clear offensive vision under Daboll. Tennessee will also move into a new enclosed stadium in 2027, positioning the franchise for long-term success if Ward develops as projected.
With Saleh handling defensive coordinator duties himself, Daboll running the offense, and Whitecotton developing the defensive line alongside Simmons, the Titans have assembled exactly the kind of experienced staff needed to accelerate a rebuild. Now they have national validation that they’re heading in the right direction.
Justin Carlucci brings 13+ years of journalism experience to Heavy. A veteran of multiple industry-leading companies, he has hosted SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio shows and contributed to the New York Post, combining traditional sports and news reporting with expertise in sports betting and fantasy sports. More about Justin Carlucci
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