Over the last several seasons, the Tennessee Titans have gone from one of the top contenders in the AFC to one of the most directionless teams in the NFL.
In 2021, the Titans earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC, only to lose at home to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round. That loss marked the beginning of a slow unraveling for the franchise.
Star wide receiver A.J. Brown sought a contract extension worth nearly $100 million. However, the Titans refused to meet his demands and instead traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles for first- and third-round draft picks, a move that visibly upset head coach Mike Vrabel.
The trade strained the relationship between Vrabel and the front office, which ultimately led to the team firing him.
When the Titans hired Brian Callahan, it became clear that the team had lost the leadership and edge that Vrabel provided. After Callahan was relieved of his duties last October, Tennessee entered the offseason focused on restoring a stronger identity.
That search led the Titans to 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, a coach widely viewed as a strong leader and one of the league’s most respected defensive minds.
How Robert Saleh Can Be Successful
Saleh’s struggles as head coach in New York can be largely attributed to two factors: poor quarterback play and a lack of discipline.
Thankfully for Saleh, the Titans appear to have a long term answer at quarterback in Cam Ward who will enter his second season with high expectations. However, Saleh cannot afford to repeat past mistakes by hiring an inexperienced offensive coordinator as he did in New York with Mike Lafleur.
Early reports suggest the Titans are targeting experienced offensive minds such as Kliff Kingsbury and former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, a sign that Saleh may be prioritizing stability on offense.
Saleh may be off to a good start in his second stint as a head coach, but the potential coordinator hires will mean nothing if he cannot eliminate the team’s penalty issue.
When Saleh arrived in New York in 2021, the Jets had just finished their most recent season with the ninth most penalties in the NFL. While that number dropped to 91 in his second season (22nd), everything fell apart in 2023 as the team set a franchise record of 124 penalties (second).
Saleh appears to have made progress in this area, as the 49ers defense committed only 46 penalties last season. While that success came during his time as a coordinator, it represents a step in the right direction that he must carry into his first season with the Titans.
What Saleh Brings to the Table
Saleh is a highly respected coach around the league. Star players such as Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner have publicly expressed their appreciation for playing under him.
Saleh provides the leadership and defensive intensity that the Titans have been lacking for the past two seasons. His ability to get the most out of his defensive players is his greatest talent. Revitalization could bode well for the Titans if veterans such as L’Jarius Sneed experience a resurgence.
Saleh has developed multiple mid-round linebackers into All-Pro players such as Quincy Williams and Fred Warner. His past of developing young linebackers could lead to a breakout season for second year linebacker Cedric Gray, who impressed this season with 162 total tackles, placing him within the top five of the league.
The Titans needed a culture change and believe that Saleh can provide that in his second head coaching stint. If Saleh can produce a similar defense to what he had with the Jets or 49ers, there is no doubt the Tennessee Titans will be playoff contenders in the coming years.
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