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Tennessee Titans Coach Robert Saleh speaks before mandatory minicamp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 17, 2026. | ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Tennessee Titans totally revamped their defensive line this offseason. They hired Robert Saleh to be the new head coach. Saleh came in and reimagined the defensive line in his vision.
It started when the Titans traded for Jermaine Johnson II. They signed John Franklin-Myers, Jordan Elliott, and Jacob Martin in free agency. Mike Borgonzi also traded for Solomon Thomas. Saleh coached all five of these players in New York and San Francisco.
Of course, they’re joining Jeffery Simmons, who inked a historic extension with the Titans earlier this offseason. Saleh will attempt to develop sophomore Femi Oladejo. The Titans also drafted Keldric Faulk with a first-round pick. Faulk was another Saleh-approved addition, given his similar length and build to Arik Armstead. The aforementioned eight players will essentially be the Titans’ defensive line rotation this season.
Coach Saleh is expected to field an aggressive, attacking-style defense. That’s the focal point of his defense. It should lead to impressive sack numbers for the Titans’ defense. Expectations are high.
Given the Titans’ lack of talent at EDGE last season, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson actually did an excellent job manufacturing pressure. An All-Pro season from Simmons helped. The Titans ranked 12th (tied) in the league in sacks with 42. That exceeded preseason expectations.
Interestingly enough, Saleh’s 49ers defense ranked last in the NFL in sacks with 20. Remember they lost Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams to season-ending ACL injuries. It’s a reminder that even the greatest defensive coaches need talented players to produce results.
The Titans have an elite talent in Simmons, and Franklin-Myers should be very productive too. The EDGE spot is mysterious. Johnson is coming off a disappointing 2025 season and 2024 Achilles injury, and Oladejo disappointed as a rookie. Coach Saleh needs to elevate this defense to produce another 40+ sacks in 2026.
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