Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who was run out of town last year, could be returning to the NFL’s head-coaching ranks in 2026, as he is reportedly a finalist for the Tennessee Titans’ gig.
Saleh was let go by the Jets during the 2024 campaign, in which he went 20-36 in parts of four seasons in charge.
But he returned to the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, where he served as defensive coordinator. Despite battling through a rash of injuries, he helped lead the NFC West side to the divisional round before they were blitzed 41-6 by the Seattle Seahawks.
His work, though, did not go unnoticed. He participated in interviews for the head-coaching jobs of the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins.
As far as is known, he is only a finalist for the Titans’ job, as the AFC squad was forced to look for alternatives after showing strong initial interest in John Harbaugh following his 18-year run with the Ravens, which ended earlier this month.
The Giants quickly pounced on the 63-year-old future Hall of Famer, making their five-year, $100 million deal official on Saturday. He will officially be introduced as the man leading Big Blue on Tuesday at team facilities.
The Titans are coming off a 3-13 season but do have last year’s No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, as an intriguing centerpiece to build around. Saleh’s track record in developing young quarterbacks is spotty, as he and the Jets failed to do much with former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson.
