A notable move came recently when the Titans added veteran defensive back Isaiah Oliver to their practice squad. Oliver brings versatility to the backend, having spent time as both a corner and a safety throughout his career. His experience should help him quickly acclimate to Tennessee’s schemes, offering depth and potential rotation options as the season unfolds. The move also reinforces Saleh’s preference for players who already have a sense of his defensive vocabulary and expectations, reducing the learning curve for installations and adjustments.
The Titans’ offseason decisions reflect a broader strategy of reuniting with former Jets defenders. Earlier in the cycle, the team pursued edge Presence Jermaine Johnson in a trade, signaling an intent to bolster the pass rush with a player who is already familiar with Saleh’s front-seven concepts. The Jets connection extends beyond Johnson, as Johnson’s performance under Saleh highlighted his potential as a disruptive presence on the edge, a trait Tennessee hopes to replicate or amplify on its own roster.
Another notable acquisition tied to this theme was defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, who joined Tennessee on a three-year contract during the early tampering period of free agency. Reports indicated that he secured the deal ahead of other contenders, including the San Francisco 49ers. Franklin-Myers stood out during his Jets tenure as a consistent disruptor up front, contributing sacks and pressure that complemented the unit’s overall edge and interior push. His addition is intended to strengthen Tennessee’s defensive line depth and bring a similar tenor of play to the front seven that Saleh emphasized in New York.
In addition to Franklin-Myers, Tennessee also added former Jets safety Tony Adams, a player who emerged as a diamond-in-the-rough through the organization’s development system. Adams’ journey from undrafted rookie to contributor with New York underscored the Titans’ penchant for identifying and developing low-cost, high-ardor defenders who fit the scheme and culture.
The roster shake-up didn’t stop there. Veteran defensive end Jacob Martin and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas joined Tennessee’s defense, bringing more front-line experience and versatility to the rotation. Each addition aligns with the overarching objective: assemble a unit that can execute Saleh’s defensive principles and provide multiple alignment options for the coaching staff.
The overarching question remains: will this strategy yield tangible results on the field? It’s a development process, and success hinges on several factors, including how seamlessly these players adapt to Tennessee’s scheme, how quickly they build on-field chemistry with one another, and how effectively the coaching staff can optimize matchups and situational performance. Given Saleh’s track record in building cohesive, scheme-driven defenses, there is optimism about the potential payoff. However, defensive success in the NFL also depends on health, depth, and the ability to adapt to a wide array of offensive schemes across a season.
Turning to Isaiah Oliver’s recent journey, his path offers a lens into why he fits this system. Oliver began his professional career after spending five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, followed by a stint with the San Francisco 49ers before arriving with the Jets in 2024. As a seasoned defensive back, Oliver offered flexibility to line up at multiple spots in the secondary, contributing as a corner and a safety. Over the course of the last two seasons with the Jets, he appeared in 31 games and started nine, delivering 112 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and six passes defended. His experience navigating different defensive schemes and roles provides the Titans with a player who can contribute immediately in sub-packages and broader lineup contexts.
Oliver’s tenure with the Jets was marked by resilience, including a season-ending knee injury suffered in a Week 15 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That setback understandably impacted his 2025 outlook, but his prior track record demonstrates the capability to influence games in coverage and run support. After spending time with other franchises, including a stint with the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason, Oliver has reunited with Saleh in Tennessee on a path to contributing in 2026. His prior exposure to Saleh’s defensive approach could translate into more rapid play recognition and execution for Tennessee’s secondary.
Looking at the broader implications of these moves, Tennessee’s strategy signals a broader AFC trend: coaches are leaning on internal knowledge and familiar practice habits to accelerate development and maximize the impact of defensive players. By prioritizing players who already understand certain elements of Saleh’s philosophy, the Titans aim to create a smoother transition for new systems, reducing the reliance on lengthy learning curves and allowing the defense to compete at a higher level sooner.
From a practical perspective, the Titans will need to monitor how this veteran-heavy approach meshes with the rest of the roster. Depth remains a crucial factor, as injuries and long seasons test the resilience of any defense. The ability to rotate players effectively, maintain freshness, and preserve the core principles of the scheme will determine how sustainable the performance is across the grind of an NFL season.
Fans and analysts will be watching how the newly formed group communicates and operates on game days. The chemistry between front-seven disruptors and the secondary’s versatility can be the difference in managing explosive offenses across the league. If the defense can consistently apply pressure, play with disciplined gaps, and leverage versatility in the secondary, Tennessee could establish a competitive edge as the season progresses.
In the end, the Titans’ decision to bring in former Jets defenders under Robert Saleh appears to be a calculated bet on familiarity, coaching continuity, and rapid integration. Whether this mix translates into a markedly improved defensive unit remains to be seen, but the approach reflects a clear intent to build a cohesive, well-versed group that can execute a demanding defensive system with minimum friction. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how these veterans fit Tennessee’s scheme and how quickly the Titans can translate experience into on-field success.
