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Robert Saleh's open-door policy extends well beyond football.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle appeared on the 'Bussin' With The Boys' podcast on March 17 and talked about his experiences with Saleh, the new Tennessee Titans coach, who was the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017-20 and again in 2025.
"Talked to Saleh more this year than I did in the four years I was with him (previously)," Kittle said. "Twice a week, I would just go sit in his office for anywhere from five to 30 minutes, and we would just talk. He’s a big conspiracy guy, I’ll say that. Loves conspiracy theories."
Kittle didn't mention what kind of conspiracies Saleh believes in, but had plenty of praise for his coaching ability. The 49ers went 13-4, reached the NFC divisional round and finished in the top half of the NFL in points allowed last season. Saleh has led four top-five defenses between his time as a coordinator and as coach of the New York Jets from 2021-24.
"He knows how to inspire, he has great messaging," Kittle said. "He’s part of the invention of that defense that he coaches. Our defense was mauled by injuries and he was a part of us winning 13 games. He knows how to put people in good positions to succeed. I think the Titans are gonna do good by him and give him a lot of control of his team, and when he wants to run the team the way he wants to do it, give him some time and I think he’s gonna really put some good games out there."
Tennessee went 3-14 last season and has not reached the playoffs since 2021. Kittle thinks that the future is bright for the Titans with Saleh and promising second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
"Becoming a good team in the NFL is incredibly difficult unless you have a stacked roster, but he does not have a stacked roster," Kittle said. "Just give him a couple years. He’s gonna turn it around, he’s gonna drive the bus in the right direction."
MORE: Projecting Titans roster, depth chart after free agency. How will NFL draft shape team?
Kittle also gave an update on the torn Achilles he suffered during the 49ers' wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles during the playoffs. He recently stopped wearing a boot on his right leg and expects to be fully out of crutches soon, calling the trajectory of his recovery "fantastic."
Kittle revealed he tore two ligaments in his ankle during the 49ers' win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 and continued to play through it, which he believes played a role in his Achilles injury.
"I was very lopsided, I was compensating really bad," Kittle said. "I think that was a big part of it too, because I was compensating for it the past three weeks on one ankle. All the weight was on my right side, so I was basically running with all the weight on my right side."
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at [email protected] and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: George Kittle talks about Titans coach Robert Saleh, gives injury update
Continue reading...
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle appeared on the 'Bussin' With The Boys' podcast on March 17 and talked about his experiences with Saleh, the new Tennessee Titans coach, who was the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017-20 and again in 2025.
"Talked to Saleh more this year than I did in the four years I was with him (previously)," Kittle said. "Twice a week, I would just go sit in his office for anywhere from five to 30 minutes, and we would just talk. He’s a big conspiracy guy, I’ll say that. Loves conspiracy theories."
Kittle didn't mention what kind of conspiracies Saleh believes in, but had plenty of praise for his coaching ability. The 49ers went 13-4, reached the NFC divisional round and finished in the top half of the NFL in points allowed last season. Saleh has led four top-five defenses between his time as a coordinator and as coach of the New York Jets from 2021-24.
"He knows how to inspire, he has great messaging," Kittle said. "He’s part of the invention of that defense that he coaches. Our defense was mauled by injuries and he was a part of us winning 13 games. He knows how to put people in good positions to succeed. I think the Titans are gonna do good by him and give him a lot of control of his team, and when he wants to run the team the way he wants to do it, give him some time and I think he’s gonna really put some good games out there."
Tennessee went 3-14 last season and has not reached the playoffs since 2021. Kittle thinks that the future is bright for the Titans with Saleh and promising second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
"Becoming a good team in the NFL is incredibly difficult unless you have a stacked roster, but he does not have a stacked roster," Kittle said. "Just give him a couple years. He’s gonna turn it around, he’s gonna drive the bus in the right direction."
MORE: Projecting Titans roster, depth chart after free agency. How will NFL draft shape team?
George Kittle injury update
Kittle also gave an update on the torn Achilles he suffered during the 49ers' wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles during the playoffs. He recently stopped wearing a boot on his right leg and expects to be fully out of crutches soon, calling the trajectory of his recovery "fantastic."
Kittle revealed he tore two ligaments in his ankle during the 49ers' win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 and continued to play through it, which he believes played a role in his Achilles injury.
"I was very lopsided, I was compensating really bad," Kittle said. "I think that was a big part of it too, because I was compensating for it the past three weeks on one ankle. All the weight was on my right side, so I was basically running with all the weight on my right side."
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at [email protected] and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: George Kittle talks about Titans coach Robert Saleh, gives injury update
Continue reading...
