Robert Saleh to be hired by Titans as 49ers defensive coordinator gets second head coaching shot

Robert Saleh is returning to the main chair, finalizing a deal to become head coach of the Tennessee Titans, according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Saleh, 46, spent the 2025 season in his second stint as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, managing an injured unit that nevertheless advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

Titans brass spent Monday interviewing Saleh and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy before selecting Saleh, who will get a second chance at helming an NFL franchise. He previously led the New York Jets to a 20-36 record over three-plus seasons, getting fired five games into the 2024 campaign.

After going 4-12 in 2021, he guided the Jets to consecutive 7-10 seasons on the strength of a defense that finished fourth and 12th in the NFL in points allowed, respectively. In 2023, the Jets' season was quickly derailed by Aaron Rodgers' Achilles injury, sustained during the team's first offensive series of the season.

Similar to his start with the Jets, Saleh is linking with a Titans team that has not had much success in recent years. The Titans finished 3-14 this season, last in the AFC South. Tennessee got an up-close and personal look at Saleh in a 37-24 loss to San Francisco on Dec. 14. 

The Titans do have several promising young players, though, specifically quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. It'll be up to Saleh and his staff to help Ward and the rest of the Titans' young core realize their potential in the years to come.

Tennessee is slated to have the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft this April.

Saleh is the fourth head coach to land a job during this cycle. John Harbaugh recently came to terms with the New York Giants after he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens. Former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Atlanta Falcons, where he will succeed Raheem Morris, who was fired after leading Atlanta to consecutive 8-9 campaigns. The Miami Dolphins hired former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Monday afternoon after somewhat-surprisingly firing Mike McDaniel. 

With Saleh heading to Nashville, there are now six remaining head coaching vacancies. The Buffalo Bills' job opened up Monday morning after Sean McDermott was fired despite going 98-50 during his nine seasons as the team's coach. The Ravens, Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals continue to conduct interviews as they look to fill their respective coaching vacancies in the coming weeks. 

Among the notable head coaching candidates are Nagy, McDaniel, former Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiac, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Vikings defensive coordinator and former Dolphins coach Brian Flores, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Sheelhaase, former Giants coach Brian Daboll and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.