Report: Titans to hire 49ers' Saleh as head coach

The Tennessee Titans are working to finalize a deal that will make 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh their head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Saleh had an in-person interview with the Titans on Monday and was scheduled to visit the Arizona Cardinals. Tennessee also interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on Monday, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport.

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi was inclined toward hiring Nagy, but team ownership swayed the decision in Saleh's favor, a source told Davenport.

This will be Saleh's second chance as a head coach. The 46-year-old previously spent three-plus seasons in charge of the New York Jets, producing a 20-36 record. The Jets fired Saleh after a 2-3 start in 2024 that followed back-to-back 7-10 campaigns.

He's expected to call plays on defense for the Titans, which he didn't do with the Jets, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Saleh worked for the Green Bay Packers as a consultant after the Jets fired him, then rejoined Kyle Shanahan's 49ers staff as defensive coordinator in 2025 after building his reputation in the same job from 2017-20. San Francisco's defense under Saleh peaked in 2019, ranking second in yardage allowed and eighth in points as the team made a Super Bowl appearance.

The Titans offer Saleh a potential franchise quarterback in Cam Ward. The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off a rookie season where he put up 15 passing touchdowns, two rushing scores, and seven interceptions. Their defense needs work after ranking 28th in points allowed this season and 30th in 2024.

The Titans have not had a winning record or made the postseason since a 12-5 campaign in 2021.