Robert Saleh is getting another shot. After a strong 2025 season as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator - a role where he's consistently proven his chops - Saleh is back in the head coaching ranks, this time with the Tennessee Titans.
It’s a fresh start, but it’s also a high-stakes opportunity. Saleh knows the score: if this stint doesn’t work out, it could be his last shot as an NFL head coach.
The Titans are betting on his defensive mind and leadership to turn things around in a situation that, frankly, isn’t all that different from the one he walked into with the Jets. That’s not lost on anyone. And while Tennessee begins to reshape its identity under Saleh, the Jets are still trying to figure out theirs.
But here’s where things get especially interesting: the Jets and Titans are set to face off during the 2026 NFL season. The timing couldn’t be better - or more dramatic.
Saleh vs. the Jets: A Date to Watch in 2026
Because both teams finished last in their respective divisions, the NFL’s scheduling formula has them slated to meet in Tennessee next season. The exact date won’t be known until the schedule drops in May, but you can bet this matchup is already circled in bold red ink in both locker rooms.
Don’t expect Sunday Night Football or a marquee Monday night slot - these aren’t playoff contenders (yet), and the networks tend to save those slots for bigger draws. But a Thursday night showdown?
That feels like a real possibility. And honestly, it might be the perfect setting for this kind of grudge match.
There’s no sugarcoating the history here. Saleh’s time in New York didn’t go as planned.
From quarterback mismanagement to locker room instability, the Jets’ struggles under his leadership were hard to ignore. The fanbase hasn’t forgotten, and neither, it seems, has Saleh.
He’s a coach who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and he’s shown he’s not afraid to take things personally. You can bet he’ll be fired up for this one.
A Measuring Stick for Both Sides
This game won’t just be about revenge or redemption - it’ll be a measuring stick. For Saleh, it’s a chance to show he’s learned from his first go-around as a head coach. For the Jets, it’s an opportunity to prove they made the right call in moving on.
Aaron Glenn, Saleh’s successor in New York, hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire so far. But team owner Woody Johnson remains committed to the plan, believing Glenn can turn things around. That belief will be put to the test when the Jets line up across from their former leader.
There’s no denying that Saleh’s missteps played a role in where the Jets are today. Whether it was the revolving door at quarterback or the inability to keep the locker room on the same page, things never quite clicked in New York under his watch. Beating him in Tennessee wouldn’t erase the past, but it would feel like a bit of closure - and maybe even a bit of payback.
Bottom Line
This isn’t just another game between two teams trying to climb out of the basement. It’s a personal, emotional, and symbolic clash between a franchise and the coach who once tried - and failed - to lead it.
Saleh gets his second chance. The Jets get theirs too.
And when the two sides meet next fall, it’ll be more than just a game. It’ll be a statement.