Much of the NFL world was surprised when the Tennessee Titans chose Robert Saleh as their head coach over former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in January.
With second-year quarterback Cam Ward needing development, many expected Tennessee to pair him with an offensive-minded coach. Saleh has since hired Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator and added weapons around Ward, including fourth-overall pick Carnell Tate from Ohio State. But during the OTAs, it was a nutritional decision that generated the most buzz around the Titans.
Robert Saleh’s Seed Oil Ban at Titans’ Facility Draws Sharp Criticism
During a press conference on Thursday, Saleh revealed that one of the first moves he made upon arriving in Nashville was removing all seed oils from the team’s dining facilities, which the players liked. The head coach credited owner Amy Adams Strunk for supporting the overhaul, noting that the Titans’ nutrition staff has provided players with a greater variety.
However, after listening to Saleh, NFL analyst John Frascella didn’t hold back and criticized the Titans’ head coach.
“I’m sorry, this is a gimmick,” Frascella wrote on X. “This is why I couldn’t stand Robert Saleh with the Jets… show us your TACTICAL advantages ON THE FIELD… no one cares about eliminating seed oil and you running up and down the stairs for the cameras before the game… if the Seahawks or Rams eliminate seed oil, then let me know, maybe it’ll mean something.”
Frascella’s frustration reflects a long-standing criticism of Saleh during his four seasons with the New York Jets, during which he finished with a 20-36 record and did not make the postseason.
Despite the poor record, Saleh, who is a defensive-minded head coach, had the Jets’ defense playing quite well. The drop off in quality after he left New York was fairly visible, and he also worked wonders with the San Francisco 49ers last season as their defensive coordinator.
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, the Jets’ defense posted an impact score of 84.2 in 2022, ranking fifth in the league. In 2023, they posted an impact score of 89.9 and ranked third in the league.
Saleh was fired after just five games in his fourth season in New York, and the team’s defense ranked 15th that year. In the first year under new head coach Aaron Glenn, the Jets’ defense ranked second-worst in the league with an impact score of 62.8.
He is expected to improve the Titans’ defense as well, but the main objective will be to get the best out of Ward. In his rookie season, the Miami product threw for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, while the team finished 3-14.
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The hope for Saleh and his coaching staff is that Tate, along with free agent signing Wan’Dale Robinson, will make things easier for Ward, and he will be able to take a leap in his sophomore season in the league.
Removing seed oils may or may not make a significant difference, but if Saleh doesn’t maximize Ward’s potential and secure some wins, Frascella’s critique will be justified.
