The Tennessee Titans are riding some rare momentum after edging out the Browns 31-29 on the road - just their second win of the season - and now they’re heading west to face a 49ers team that’s firmly entrenched in the NFC playoff picture at 9-4. San Francisco’s been a force offensively, and Christian McCaffrey is once again rewriting what’s possible for a modern running back.
He’s closing in on a second career season with both 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards - something no player in NFL history has done twice. It’s the kind of production that not only fuels an offense but reshapes how defenses have to prepare week to week.
On the other side of the ball, the 49ers have been banged up, but you wouldn’t always know it from the scoreboard. Even with injuries piling up, they’re still holding opponents to just 20.8 points per game - eighth-best in the league.
That’s a testament to the depth of their roster, sure, but also to the leadership on the defensive side. And that’s where Robert Saleh comes back into the picture.
Yes, that Robert Saleh - the former Jets head coach who’s now back in San Francisco, helping steer this defense through a tough stretch. Saleh originally made his name in the Bay Area as the Niners’ defensive coordinator before taking the top job in New York in 2021. His time with the Jets had its moments - especially after the splashy acquisition of Aaron Rodgers - but it ended abruptly after just five games this season.
Now, Saleh’s name is once again circulating in league circles as a potential head coaching hire, and one of the teams reportedly interested? The very team he’ll be facing on Sunday: the Tennessee Titans.
So, what would Robert Saleh bring to a Titans franchise that’s clearly in transition and looking for a spark?
Let’s start with energy - because Saleh brings it in spades. He’s not the stoic type who stands on the sideline with arms folded.
He’s the coach who’s sprinting down the sideline after a big defensive stop, chest-bumping players, and living every snap like it’s the fourth quarter of a playoff game. That kind of visible investment matters in a locker room.
It resonates with players - especially veterans like Jeffery Simmons - who thrive under coaches that match their intensity. For a Titans team that’s looked flat at times this season, Saleh’s juice could be a culture-changer.
From a schematic standpoint, Saleh is known for his aggressive, attacking defenses. He’s not a blitz-happy coordinator, but he knows how to generate pressure with a front four and disguise coverages behind it.
More importantly, he’s shown he can adapt. This year’s 49ers defense has been hit hard by injuries, but Saleh has made adjustments on the fly, putting players in positions to succeed rather than forcing a rigid system.
That kind of flexibility would be huge for Tennessee, which has also dealt with injuries at key positions.
Now, it’s worth noting that Saleh’s defensive roots are in a 4-3 or 4-2-5 scheme - a shift from the Titans’ long-standing 3-4 base. That’s not a small change.
It would mean re-evaluating current personnel, especially those 3-4 outside linebackers who’d need to transition to hand-in-the-dirt defensive ends. But if the Titans can make that adjustment, there’s potential for a stout front anchored by T’Vondre Sweat and Simmons - two interior linemen who could thrive in a more traditional four-man front.
The challenge will be whether the rest of the roster can evolve with that vision.
Of course, as much as Saleh’s defensive acumen is a selling point, the bigger question in Tennessee might be what he does on the other side of the ball. With Cam Ward - the 2025 No. 1 overall pick - locked in as the franchise quarterback, the Titans need a head coach who can surround him with the right offensive staff.
Saleh isn’t an offensive guy by trade, so his success in Tennessee would hinge on who he brings in as offensive coordinator. Ward’s development is non-negotiable.
If that stalls, it won’t matter how good the defense is.
There’s no guarantee Saleh ends up in Nashville, but he’s a name to watch as the coaching carousel starts to spin. He’s got head coaching experience, a proven defensive track record, and the kind of sideline presence that can reignite a locker room. Whether that’s enough for the Titans to take the leap remains to be seen - but don’t be surprised if he gets a call.