The Tennessee Titans are betting big on Robert Saleh-and there's good reason to believe that bet might pay off sooner than expected. After a rough 2025 campaign, the Titans are turning to a coach known for building elite defenses and commanding the respect of the locker room. And while the road back to contention won’t be easy, the pieces are there for a turnaround, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Let’s start with what Saleh brings to the table. His time with the Jets didn’t end the way he or the team wanted, but it wasn’t without bright spots.
In fact, his defensive units were consistently among the best in the league. After inheriting one of the NFL’s worst defenses in 2021, Saleh helped transform the Jets into a top-five unit in yards allowed in back-to-back seasons-finishing fourth in 2022 and third in 2023.
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident.
As former NFL quarterback and analyst Chris Simms put it, “All in all, the defense was top-notch when he was there. They had an eye for top-notch talent as well.”
The issue in New York wasn’t the defense-it was the offense. The Jets couldn’t stay on the field, and that eventually wore down even a high-performing defense.
“Horrible offensive play … led the defense to really falling apart at times,” Simms added.
That’s a cautionary tale for Tennessee, where the defense struggled mightily in 2025. The Titans ranked 30th in points allowed and 31st in total yards-a far cry from the kind of unit Saleh is used to leading.
But there’s optimism inside the building that the numbers don’t tell the full story. According to Simms, this group has more talent than people realize, and with Saleh at the helm, there’s belief that it can be molded into something far more competitive.
One key factor? Leadership.
Saleh isn’t just a sharp defensive mind-he’s a leader who commands respect and knows how to get buy-in from his players. That’s not just coach-speak; it’s a trait that can lift a team out of a rut.
And there’s a real chance Saleh takes over play-calling duties himself, which would give the Titans a steady hand on defense from Day 1.
Now, let’s talk about the other side of the ball-because if the Titans are going to take a step forward in 2026, they’ll need more than just defensive improvement. The offense has to stop shooting itself in the foot.
And while no one’s expecting Tennessee to suddenly become an offensive powerhouse, simply cutting down on mistakes could do wonders. That alone would help the defense stay fresher and play with a lead more often.
The offensive line is a clear area of concern. Ranked 23rd by Pro Football Focus, the unit gave up 183 pressures and 35 sacks on 651 pass-blocking snaps-second most in the league.
That’s not just a stat; it’s a weekly problem that derails drives and puts the quarterback in harm’s way. According to PFF’s Zoltán Buday, “Despite having a strong unit on paper, Tennessee's front was among the least efficient units in the league in pass protection.”
That has to change, and adding at least one reliable lineman this offseason should be a top priority.
The Titans also have the cap space to make real moves. In fact, they’re sitting atop the league in effective cap space, which means they can be aggressive.
One name to keep an eye on: Odafe Oweh. The edge rusher has shown flashes of high-level production, leading two different teams in PFF pass-rush grade in 2025.
He finished the year with a 78.0 grade, ranking 18th among qualifying edge rushers. Tennessee generated decent sack totals last season, but their 19% pressure rate ranked 28th-so adding a player like Oweh could help turn pressures into game-changing plays.
Offensively, the Titans could also use a veteran wide receiver-someone who can either step in as a true No. 1 or push the younger guys to elevate their game. Right now, the team is banking on players like Elic Ayomanor or Chimere Dike to make that leap, but adding a proven pass-catcher could stabilize the position group and give the quarterback a reliable target.
Speaking of the quarterback-Ward is a big part of this equation. He showed flashes as a rookie, and his 15-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio is a solid foundation to build on, especially considering the instability he dealt with on the coaching front.
But ball security has to improve. Eleven fumbles, seven lost-that’s the kind of stat that turns close games into losses.
If Saleh and his offensive staff can help Ward clean that up, the Titans could be in the playoff conversation sooner than expected.
At the end of the day, this is a team that’s not as far off as its 2025 record suggests. With Saleh’s leadership, a revamped defense, smarter offensive play, and a few key additions in free agency, the Titans could be one of the league’s surprise risers in 2026. It won’t be flashy, and it won’t be easy-but it might just be effective.