Pro Football Rumors
Although a report on Monday pegged Matt Nagy as the frontunner for the Titans’ head coaching position, the team instead hired Robert Saleh several hours later. Nagy and Saleh joined then-Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as the Titans’ finalists, according to insider Jordan Schultz, who reveals the team never seriously considered Mike McCarthy despite interviewing him
Tennessee lost one of its finalists when the Dolphins hired Hafley as their head coach on Monday evening. Saleh, meanwhile, entered his Monday interview with the Titans needing to “win the job,” Albert Breer of SI.com writes.
In successfully landing the role, the former 49ers defensive coordinator secured a five-year contract, per Schultz. Because Saleh’s second stint in San Francisco only lasted one year, the 49ers will not receive draft compensation for losing him, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes.
Saleh’s summit with the Titans included a three-hour meeting with general manager Mike Borgonzi, president of football operations Chad Brinker, and several other members of their front office, Breer relays. Borgonzi made the recommendation to hire Saleh after his successful pitch to team brass.
Saleh impressed the group with a “detailed plan” on working with quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. That included ideas on putting together the right offensive staff to maximize Ward’s potential. Saleh’s looking for a “CEO-type” offensive coordinator, Schultz says.
We already know Saleh’s offensive staff will not include Mike McDaniel, who developed a strong bond with Saleh when they coached together in San Francisco from 2017-20. Although Saleh had been in contact with McDaniel (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN), the latter is on the cusp of becoming the Chargers’ offensive coordinator.
Given Ward’s importance to the organization, the Titans wanted all of their head coaching candidates to present a plan for Ward, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. With Saleh now in charge and McDaniel about to come off the board, former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is reportedly in the mix to take over as Ward’s next offensive coordinator.
The Titans interviewed Daboll for their head coaching job, but he may wind up taking on a key role as an assistant with the team. However, Daboll has other suitors in the Eagles and Chargers, who are interested in him for their O-coordinator openings. He’s also a potential candidate for Buffalo’s head coaching job, which became available when the team unexpectedly fired Sean McDermott on Monday. Daboll spent 2018-21 as the Bills’ OC and aided in developing Josh Allen into an elite signal-caller. In bringing in Daboll to help Ward, the Titans would hope for similar results.
If Daboll doesn’t join Saleh’s staff, Breer identifies former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Rams OC Mike LaFleur and Steelers OC Arthur Smith as other possibilities.
Kingsbury helped guide 2024 second overall pick Jayden Daniels to stellar results as a rookie, but multiple injuries largely prevented the dual-threat QB from building on that success this season. After Daniels played in just seven games...
