When the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets line up for their season opener, the record books will show two teams that combined for just six wins in 2025. But beneath the surface of this matchup of struggling franchises lies a storyline with a personal twist: Titans head coach Robert Saleh will be standing on the opposite sideline from the team that gave him his first shot at leading an NFL franchise.
Saleh, who guided the Jets from 2021 until his mid-2024 dismissal amid a 2-3 start, insists this game carries no extra emotional weight for him. His tenure in New York ended with a 20-36 record and never more than seven wins in a season, but he chooses to look back with appreciation rather than bitterness.
“New York is still a special place,” Saleh told reporters this week. “Gave me my first opportunity as a head coach. Our desire to win Week 1 and beat the Jets is because it’s Week 1 and nothing more. I am forever grateful for all the opportunity that they gave. I don’t hold grudges.”
That gratitude extends to his roster-building decisions in Tennessee. Saleh has actively recruited former Jets standouts, bringing in edge rusher Jermaine Johnson—a former first-round pick and Pro Bowler—and pass rusher John Franklin-Myers, both of whom flourished under his guidance in New York. Whether those players share their coach’s fondness for their old club remains to be seen, but Saleh’s actions speak to the relationships he built during his time in the Big Apple.
Saleh’s path to head coaching began after four impressive seasons as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator. By 2020, he was the hottest coaching candidate on the market, interviewing with nearly every team with an opening. He ultimately landed in New York, but the franchise’s long-standing quarterback woes proved too steep a mountain to climb—even with Aaron Rodgers in the fold.
After his dismissal, Saleh returned to the 49ers, where he immediately re-established his defensive dominance. He helped San Francisco improve from 29th in total defense in 2024 to 13th in 2025, guiding them back to the playoffs as if he’d never left.
Now, with a fresh start in Tennessee, Saleh has a chance to write a different chapter. The Titans are hoping his second go-round as a head coach will yield better results. But for now, he’s keeping his focus squarely on the task at hand—not the narrative of revenge.
As the NFL world watches, Saleh’s approach offers a refreshing contrast to the typical grudge-match hype. He’s not looking to make a statement against his former employer; he’s simply looking to start the season with a win. For fans of coaches who've faced sudden exits, Saleh's perspective is a lesson in professionalism.
The Titans’ opener against the Jets will be a test of both teams’ resilience, but for Saleh, it’s just another game on the schedule. His gratitude for New York is genuine, and his focus is on the future—not the past.
