Saleh aims to turn Jets lessons into Titans success

After an underwhelming tenure as head coach of the New York Jets, which ended with his firing five games into his fourth season, new Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh reflected on his time in New York and what details of the job he plans to bring with him to Tennessee.

Speaking with Rich Eisen about his tenure with the Jets, Saleh admitted that there were many aspects of the job that he had to learn on the fly. He also acknowledged that, even though it’s his second try as a head coach, there is still personal growth he needs to work on as he looks to shape the Titans. 

"There's no handbook for a first time at anything you do,” Saleh said on the Rich Eisen show. There was a lot of things that I learned throughout that process that I'm taking with me. There's a lot of things that I'm leaving behind. There's still a lot of room for me to grow also."

Learning from the Jets

Coming from a defensive background, Saleh's time in New York was headlined by his inability to put together a competent offense, in part due to never figuring out the quarterback position.

One of Saleh’s first big moves was drafting BYU quarterback Zach Wilson second overall in the 2021 draft. Touted as a blue-chip prospect, Wilson struggled, posting a 12-21 record over three seasons and throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.

Saleh then followed this by making a trade for a veteran quarterback to steady the offense.

Saleh traded for veteran Aaron Rodgers to anchor an offense featuring Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, but Rodgers snapped his Achilles on the fourth snap of his debut, effectively ending Saleh’s tenure.

Now looking forward to his new opportunity, the Titans may offer Saleh some opportunities that he wasn't afforded in New York

Despite last season’s 3-14 record, the Titans have hope in rookie quarterback Cam Ward, whose athleticism allowed him to extend plays even behind a shaky offensive line.

At the 2026 NFL combine, Saleh praised Ward's resiliency, saying, "A man who is built the way he is, who is wired the way he is, who works the way he does, it's very rare that those people don't find success."

To help Ward reach his potential, Saleh brought in former New York Giants quarterback Brian Daboll, known for developing young quarterbacks, providing Saleh the steady hand he needs to stabilize the Titans' offense.

With a promising quarterback in Ward and an already formidable defense that Saleh can build around, the Titans can enter the season as an exciting sleeper team that could upset some more established NFL teams while they continue to develop.