Robert Saleh, Titans Reportedly Agree to HC Contract to Support Cam Ward amid Matt Nagy Rumors

Robert Saleh will be tasked with helping the Tennessee Titans and rookie quarterback Cam Ward bounce back from a 3-14 record in 2025.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the sides agreed to terms on a five-year contract on Tuesday:

The decision comes after the team announced Monday it completed interviews with both Saleh and Matt Nagy.

Saleh will step in for former head coach Brian Callahan, who was fired in October following the Titans' 1-5 start to the 2025 season.

Callahan went 3-14 amid injuries to key players, including quarterback Will Levis, during his first season as head coach and lead play-caller. That record tied for the Titans' fewest wins since moving to Tennessee in 1998.

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk reportedly considering firing Callahan in order to start fresh before selecting Ward with the top pick of the 2025 draft, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Turron Davenport.

The Titans ultimately gave Callahan another shot, although his coaching decisions came into question after multiple mistakes including a missed challenge in Week 1 and a costly delay of game penalty in Week 3.

Callahan ultimately handed over play-calling to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree ahead of Week 4 and was fired ahead of Week 7. Interim head coach Mike McCoy finished out the season by leading the Titans to a 2-9 record.

NBC Sports' Mike Florio previously reported that the search to replace Callahan and McCoy was being led internally by Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker and general manager Mike Borgonzi.

The Titans will hope another high first-round pick and a step forward from Ward will take the franchise one step closer to returning to postseason contention for the first time since 2021.

This will mark Saleh's first head coaching job since 2024, when he was fired by the New York Jets following a 2-3 start to his fourth season with the team.

He left the franchise having marked a 20-36 overall record (.357 win percentage) over four seasons marked by quarterback uncertainty.

Saleh's experience prior to his head coaching stint in New York included roles on defensive staffs with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers.

He most recently spent the 2025 season working as defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, who finished the season ranked 13th in the NFL in points allowed per game.

The Niners ranked 20th in total yards allowed, although Saleh has said his priority is limiting points rather than yards against.

The Titans will now see if that philosophy will help them bounce back from ranking 28th in points allowed last season.