Robert Saleh’s Second Chance

On January 22, 2026, the Tennessee Titans decided that Robert Saleh was the right choice to lead their team into the future. During the 2025 season, Saleh was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. It was his second stint as the DC for them, as he’d previously held the same position from 2017 to 2020.

As fans will recall, Saleh was previously the head coach of the New York Jets, where he famously (or infamously) coached Aaron Rodgers. HBO’s preseason “behind the scenes” Hard Knocks show followed the Jets players and coaches around, watching their every move. There was excitement in the air for the first time in years for the organization, but four plays into the season, Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon. The Jets tanked, and Saleh was fired. 

Saleh returned to San Francisco and helped lead the 49ers’ defense, and in doing so, rebuilt his reputation as one of the league’s best defensive minds.

Enter the Tennessee Titans—and Saleh’s second shot at becoming an NFL head coach. 

The Titans are a young team, and with their first draft pick, Saleh and the Titans’ brass decided to help their first-year quarterback, rising star Cam Ward, by using their top-ten pick on Ohio State’s Wide Receiver Carnell Tate. Tate was regarded as the best receiver in a group of talented pass catchers, and he’s expected to help their ailing offense from day one. 

But the rest of the draft and Tennessee’s choices truly showed what the Titans want to be about in the 2026 season and beyond. There is an adage that says a young quarterback's best friends are a strong running game and a stout defense. Saleh bought into that philosophy and went on a run, using his draft picks to focus on rebuilding his team in his own image—on the defensive side of the ball and in the trenches. 

With the 31st selection overall and their second first-round choice, the Titans selected exciting edge rusher Keldric Faulk out of Auburn. Faulk is a young, explosive edge rusher who uses his elite athleticism to pressure the quarterback. The Titans as a team only had 34 sacks last season, with no single player registering double-digit sacks. The Titans expect to be more competitive this season, and Faulk can be a defensive “closer,” helping them hold on to leads. 

The Titans’ next pick was linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a super athletic linebacker from Texas who will solidify Saleh’s defense in the middle. Hill is known for his ability to play both the run and the pass equally well and will be a future defensive signal caller for them. 

Then came their choice of a guard, Fernando Carmona out of Arkansas. Carmona is expected to help shore up the Titans’ retooled offensive line. While he struggled at left tackle in the SEC, the Titans believe his size and athleticism could help by kicking him inside to guard. 

On day three, the Titans added to their running back room by choosing the speedy Nick Singleton out of Penn State. Singleton’s versatility in the running and passing games will keep the chains moving and keep the offense on the field longer. He is expected to contribute out of the gate for Saleh, and fans are hoping for him to have a big rookie season. 

Later in the draft, the Titans continued to focus on their defensive rebuild. For the next pick, they chose defensive tackle Jackie Marshall out of Baylor. Marshall should be able to help the defensive line depth while taking up a blocker or two, which will help Faulk pressure the opposing team’s quarterback. 

With their final picks, the Titans drafted Pat Coogan, a center out of Indiana and Jaren Karnak, a tight end from Oklahoma. 

Coogan’s leadership helped the Hoosiers claim the National Championship last year, and he’s got what it takes to be the future leader and anchor of the offensive line. He’s got a high football IQ and is instinctive enough to make the necessary calls and protections to help out Ward. And while Karnak is expected to add depth and contribute to both the run and passing games for the Titans down the road, he will take some time to develop. 

Saleh and the Titans organization selected five linemen out of their eight picks in the 2026 draft. That is a clear decision and signals that Saleh believes the Titans need to get back to old school, smash-mouth football. He learned a lot from his time in San Francisco and New York, and this time around, he is going to use his second chance to mold Tennessee into a tough team, built on defense and a balanced offense.