The Tennessee Titans are wasting no time reshaping their identity under new head coach Robert Saleh, and the early moves are already painting a clear picture of the vision he’s bringing to Nashville. The headline hire?
Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll - a big swing and a bigger win for a team looking to modernize its offense. But while the Daboll move grabs attention, it’s on the defensive side where Saleh is quietly building something familiar, and potentially formidable.
Saleh has brought in Aaron Whitecotton as the Titans’ new defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator. If that name rings a bell, it should.
Whitecotton and Saleh have a long history together, working side by side across multiple NFL stops - the Jaguars, 49ers, and most recently, the Jets. This will be their fourth stint together, and that kind of continuity matters.
It’s not just about shared schemes - it’s about trust, communication, and a unified vision for how to build a defense from the trenches out.
Whitecotton is coming off a 2025 season coaching the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line, where he worked on the same staff as Dave Borgonzi - brother of Titans GM Mike Borgonzi. So there’s familiarity at every level here, and that cohesion could pay dividends quickly as the Titans transition into Saleh’s defensive philosophy.
Now, when you start connecting the dots between Saleh, Whitecotton, and potential personnel moves, one name jumps out: John Franklin-Myers.
The Denver Broncos defensive end isn’t just a fit - he’s practically tailor-made for what Saleh and Whitecotton want to do up front. Franklin-Myers thrived under their tutelage with the Jets from 2021 to 2023, posting 14.5 sacks over that three-year span.
That was the most productive stretch of his career - until now. Since being traded to Denver in 2024, Franklin-Myers has continued to elevate his game, notching 7.0 sacks in 2024 and a career-best 7.5 sacks in 2025.
He was a key piece of the Broncos’ defense all the way through their AFC Championship Game run.
With his two-year, $15 million deal set to expire in March, Franklin-Myers is about to hit the open market - and the Titans should absolutely be in that conversation. Not only is he a consistent pass rusher who knows the system inside and out, but he also brings leadership and playoff experience to a defensive front that could use both.
The Titans’ defensive line has some questions heading into the offseason. Jeffery Simmons remains the anchor, but around him, there’s uncertainty.
T’Vondre Sweat, while talented, might not be the cleanest schematic fit in Saleh’s defense. Meanwhile, Sebastian Joseph-Day and James Lynch are both headed for free agency.
Re-signing either - or both - remains an option, but Franklin-Myers would represent a clear upgrade, especially in terms of pass-rush consistency and versatility.
This isn’t just about numbers - though Franklin-Myers’ production speaks for itself. It’s about fit.
About bringing in players who already understand the expectations, the language, and the intensity that Saleh demands. Franklin-Myers checks every box, and his familiarity with both Saleh and Whitecotton could make for a seamless transition.
As the Titans continue to build out their coaching staff and evaluate roster needs, don’t be surprised if Franklin-Myers becomes a name that gains traction in free agency talks. He’s been productive, durable, and reliable - and he’s done it before in this exact system. For a team looking to turn the page and establish a new identity, adding a player like Franklin-Myers could be a foundational move.