Music City Audible · Justin Graver, Justin Melo

Robert Saleh's BIGGEST AREAS To Improve As Titans HC

January 22, 2026·50 min·4 clips

Robert Saleh didn't use any timeouts until 19 seconds left, wasting a crucial drive against the Lions.

This episode analyzes Robert Saleh's tenure as New York Jets head coach to identify key areas for improvement in his new role with the Tennessee Titans. Hosts Justin Graver and Justin Melo, both experienced NFL analysts, dissect Saleh's coaching record and potential for growth. They focus on specific, coach-centric criticisms beyond the Jets' well-documented organizational dysfunction. A primary critique was Saleh's in-game clock management, exemplified by a 2022 Week 15 loss to Detroit where he held all three timeouts until 19 seconds remained in a one-score game. His teams were also highly penalized, leading the NFL in 2023 in unnecessary roughness and tying for the lead in roughing the passer penalties. The hosts note a pattern of media missteps, including texting a critical radio host about quarterback Zach Wilson and making bold, unfulfilled public declarations about the team's prospects. Saleh's perceived lack of sideline energy in New York contrasted with his passionate reputation from San Francisco, which he attributed to not calling plays. An interesting counterpoint is that several successful coaches like Andy Reid and Sean McVay have also faced clock management criticism. Saleh declined a lucrative coordinator offer from the Las Vegas Raiders after his Jets firing to return to the 49ers, stating he wanted to observe a successful operation after having head coaching experience. He specifically mentioned watching how Kyle Shanahan operated was helpful following his own time in the head coach's chair. Saleh and Shanahan successfully rebuilt the 49ers defense in 2025 using six rookie contributors, which the hosts see as a positive blueprint for Tennessee. The analysis acknowledges that bad teams often commit more penalties, suggesting the Titans' existing talent deficit could prolong discipline issues, particularly in the secondary. Jeffrey Simmons expressed excitement to play for Saleh's energetic style, reportedly telling him "come coach us" after a 2025 game. The hosts agree the intense New York media market and ownership interference under Woody Johnson created a uniquely challenging environment not fully comparable to Nashville. The biggest unanswered question is how Saleh will handle the offensive side of the ball and who he hires as coordinator. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending specific game examples with broader philosophical questions about coaching development. NFL fans interested in coaching strategy, Titans supporters, and those following Robert Saleh's career would find this detailed breakdown valuable. Listeners seeking only game previews or player interviews might find the focused, retrospective analysis less engaging.

As heard by us

A sober look at which Saleh problems are fixable and which ones are talent-driven.

Music City Audible treats this episode as a careful read on Robert Saleh's coaching profile, not a chance to pin every Jets problem on one label.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a clear-eyed read on Robert Sala's coaching growth, press play here.

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