Robert Saleh has moved one step closer to becoming a head coach again.
Saleh is one of three known finalists for the Titans’ vacancy, along with Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, according to ESPN, and NFL Network added that he’s considered a “serious candidate.”
Saleh, who coached the Jets from 2021-24, was initially slated to interview virtually with the Titans on Sunday night, but the team “collected enough information to move forward” to an in-person meeting Monday, according to The Athletic.
Saleh’s season as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator ended Saturday when the Seahawks dismantled San Francisco in the divisional round, 41-6.
But the 2025 campaign served as a reset, of sorts, for the former Jets head coach, who went 20-36 across three-plus seasons before getting fired midway through his fourth year.
He returned to San Francisco, where he worked under head coach Kyle Shanahan previously before taking the Gang Green job, and was forced to navigate a plethora of injuries to key stars — including edge rusher Joey Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner — throughout the year.
It didn’t take long for the interview requests to start rolling in once vacancies opened, either.
Saleh also interviewed with the Cardinals, Ravens and Dolphins.
“It’s not a secret,” Saleh said during an episode of “The Exhibit” podcast in December, according to Sports Illustrated. “We all want to be at the top of our profession and show that we can achieve greatness at the top of our profession, but — and I say this with great humility — my focus is here, and just trying our best to get to the playoffs and see if we can make some damage and host a Super Bowl here in our building.”
That, ultimately, didn’t happen, so now everything will shift to what’s next for Saleh.
The perk of the Titans’ job revolves around Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, who flashed his potential as a rookie signal-caller.
Tennessee, however, went just 3-13 during the season, which saw the firing of second-year coach Brian Callahan in October.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
