NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans are putting in requests to interview Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Smith worked his way up the Titans coaching staff from 2011-20 under four different coaches. No candidate will have a better understanding of Amy Adams Strunk and some of the team’s built-in issues, even as things have changed a great deal since he left.
In 2020, the Smith-run Titans' offense ranked second in the NFL in total offense, the highest ranking for the franchise in the Tennessee era.
Smith is in his second season with the Steelers, who are the fourth seed in the AFC and host the Texans in the wild-card round on Monday night.
He left his post as Mike Vrabel’s offensive coordinator to coach the Falcons from 2021-23.
Last year, he interviewed with the Bears and Jets.
In Atlanta, he managed only a 21-30 record during a stretch when Atlanta had quarterback issues. Smith got the 14th and final year of Matt Ryan, then Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.
Hafley also interviewed with the Jets last season. He has built a strong reputation with the Packers in just two seasons as defensive coordinator.
He worked with defensive backs in Tampa Bay, Cleveland and San Francisco and has head 
coaching experience from Boston College, where his team was 22-26 from 2020-23.
The Packers are the seventh seed in the NFC.
Saleh coached the messy Jets from 2021-24, and they went 20-36.
He had great success as a defensive coordinator before that in San Francisco and has returned to the same role. The 49ers are the sixth seed in the NFC.
He is also interviewing with Arizona and Atlanta.