Robert Saleh. Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

49ers DC Robert Saleh finalizing a deal to become Titans HC

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 8:57 AM ET

The Tennessee Titans finished their second straight season with a 3-14 record and are entering the offseason with a ton of question marks.

One of the biggest questions the Titans needed to answer was who would be their next head coach? They fired Brian Callahan after he posted a 4-19 record.

That question has now been answered, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the Titans are finalizing a deal to make Saleh their next head coach.

Saleh was the head coach of the New York Jets for four seasons 2021-24, where he went 20-36. The Jets fired Saleh after Week 5 of the 2024 season after going 2-3.

ESPN sources: Titans are working to finalize a deal to hire 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their head coach. Saleh spent Monday in Tennessee with the Titans, and the two sides impressed each other enough to move forward together. pic.twitter.com/rXC94my62B
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2026

Robert Saleh may find more success with the Titans than with the Jets, but he will need to overhaul the roster and help Cam Ward grow

A defensive-minded head coach, hiring Saleh should help overhaul the Titans' defense (21st, 345.1 yards per game), but the offense needs plenty of work too (second-worst, 259.6 yards per game). Saleh will need to choose his next offensive coordinator wisely as the organization tries to get quarterback Cam Ward going after a trying rookie season.

The number one overall pick in the draft in 2025 threw for 3,169 yards in his first NFL season and had a decent touchdown/interception ratio (15/7). However, Ward did take a ton of sacks (55), tying Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith for the lead in the NFL. Ward’s 55 sacks accounted for 410 yards.

Ward taking the next step forward in his development will be critical to get the Titans becoming a winning team, which they haven’t been since 2021 (12-5).

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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