ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that the Tennessee Titans narrowed their head-coaching search to three names: Saleh, Matt Nagy, and Jeff Hafley. Dianna Russini added that Saleh was set to Zoom with Tennessee on the night of Jan. 18, with an in-person interview scheduled for Jan. 19. This would mark Saleh’s second chance at a head coaching gig after leading the Jets (2021–2024). If he lands the Titans job, he’d be guiding a young quarterback in Cam Ward. 🗣️📞
If Saleh moves to Tennessee, his top priority as a defensive coach would be to assemble a staff capable of sustaining Ward’s growth on offense, ensuring playmakers around him can continue to develop in the NFL. In other words, he’d want offensive coordinators and coaches who can foster Ward’s development and push the team forward. 👶🏽🧩
Meanwhile, the 49ers could also see change at another key spot this offseason: Jauan Jennings is a likely free agent who could test the open market in mid-March. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco noted that Jennings was San Francisco’s top free-agent target, but a long-term extension wasn’t reached before the season ended. With the market open, the team will gauge value from other teams and decide whether to bring him back, much as they did with Dre Greenlaw in the past. 🧾➡️💼
After the tough loss to Seattle, head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that no one played perfectly and suggested coaching wasn’t elite that night. If Saleh departs for Tennessee, Shanahan will need to replace him on the 2026 staff, meaning structural changes could shape the team’s next phase well beyond the current season. 🤝🗓️
