By MIKE HERNDON, columnist
The Titans have a new head coach in former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The hire – like most NFL hires – feels like a direct reaction to what Tennessee didn’t like about their last coach, Brian Callahan. Saleh is a defensive minded coach with previous head coaching experience and a big, energetic presence as a communicator and leader.
Of course, who he hires as offensive coordinator will be critical as the Titans look to build around last year’s first overall pick, Cam Ward, who showed major flashes down the stretch of his rookie season. However, Saleh’s track record suggests that we can expect the defensive side of the ball to improve quickly.
It took a year, but Saleh’s defense in New York went from averaging nearly 30 points per game allowed as one of the worst units in the league, to being quite literally the best defense in the NFL.
Since the 2021 season, Robert Saleh's first in New York, the Jets defense is
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 8, 2024
1st in points per drive
1st in EPA per play
3rd in success rate
...despite playing the fourth-most snaps over that stretch.
Saleh never solved the QB problem, but man. He delivered on defense.
