Robert Saleh returned to the San Francisco 49ers in 2025 following the end of his stint with the New York Jets. Having previously served as the defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, he returned to the same role in 2025. But his days back in San Francisco could end sooner rather than later.
Could Robert Saleh Move to the Tennessee Titans?
Two head coach jobs have already been filled. John Harbaugh has officially signed with the New York Giants, while Kevin Stefanski will sign a five-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. There are seven jobs still waiting to be filled.
This includes the Tennessee Titans, one of the most attractive openings for any head coach. The Titans have a quarterback to develop, they hold the third overall pick in the 2026 draft, and they have the most cap space available for the offseason, the only team above the $100M mark. New coaches would love to work there.
Saleh is one of the options, as revealed by Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer. He listed a few names who could end up with the Titans, including the 49ers’ defensive coordinator:
“‘The Titans will finish their first round of interviews on Sunday, with former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon coming in, and 49ers DC Robert Saleh interviewing virtually. The second-interview list has Hafley and Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, who was with Titans GM Mike Borgonzi in Kansas City. That list, of course, could grow, with Saleh considered a solid candidate for that job.”
Saleh has done an admirable job in his return to San Francisco. The 49ers dealt with key losses throughout the whole season, mainly on defense. Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Mykel Williams were all lost for the season at different points, making Saleh’s job much more complicated than he expected when he returned to the job.
Still, the defense played a crucial role during the season. They were ranked as No. 26 in our PFSN Defense Impact Metric, and in many games, they allowed big yardage to opposing offenses. But no one would argue that they were handicapped after so many injuries, and Saleh still had them ready to play, despite losing their starters.
He holds a 20-36 record from his four-year stint as the head coach of the New York Jets. Once again, context matters, with no proven option as quarterback during his time in New York. A fresh start with the Titans, molding the team to his wishes, could be just what he needs to show what he’s capable of.
