Robert Saleh spent over three seasons coaching the New York Jets. It was his first head-coaching role in the NFL after years spent building a reputation as one of the best defensive assistants in the game.
However, the Jets fired Saleh after a 2-3 start to the 2024 season. Now the Titans coach, Saleh, is set to start his tenure with a matchup against his old team.
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Saleh was asked on Wednesday about opening the season against his former team.
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“I’m appreciative of the Jets and everything I had there,” Saleh said.
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“It’s to be expected with the NFL, but I didn’t think anything of it.”
Saleh wasn’t out of a job for long after he was fired by the Jets. He joined the Green Bay Packers as an offensive consultant to see out the 2024 season.
Next up for Saleh was a return to the San Francisco 49ers to work as their defensive coordinator. He previously worked in that capacity for four seasons before the Jets came calling.
Saleh’s unit dealt with several injuries, but he still contributed to the team’s return to the playoffs. He was one of the most highly regarded members of the latest coaching carousel, eventually opting to take his talents to Tennessee.
Robert Saleh looking to end Titans’ playoff drought
The Tennessee Titans are currently on a five-season playoff drought. They last reached the postseason in 2021, when they finished with the AFC’s No. 1 seed under Mike Vrabel.
Robert Saleh has his work cut out as the Titans have been starved of postseason success in recent times. Furthermore, the last time the Titans recorded a playoff win was in the 2019 season.
Saleh will be able to call upon the 2025 NFL draft’s first pick, Cam Ward. Ward is fresh off a decent but unspectacular rookie season that saw him amass a stat line of 3,169 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 17 games. The former Jets coach will be tasked with bringing out the best in the Miami Hurricanes product.
Robert Saleh is known for his defensive acumen and pragmatic approach to the game. His first test as the Titans coach will be against a familiar team. A statement win against the team that fired him in the opening weeks of the 2024 season could set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
Edited by Nick Igbokwe