NASHVILLE — Robert Saleh was introduced as the newest coach of the Tennessee Titans on Thursday afternoon. If you’ve paid attention to Tennessee in the last few years, you understand that this is the fifth introductory press conference the franchise has done in four years after a constant hiring and firing cycle of failed general managers and coaches.

In fairness, the fifth presser was for 2025 No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward.

It reflects the amount of change that’s taken place in Nashville these last few seasons. Moreover, it represents the number of times the club has gotten it wrong after making a decision of consequence. When Saleh spoke at the Titans practice facility, what was happening around the introduction was almost as interesting as what was being said.

At best estimate: more than a dozen of Tennessee’s players who are currently under contract showed up to hear their new head coach speak.

Titans players as desperate for something to believe in

Ward was in attendance on Thursday.

Players ranging from All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to reserve guard Jackson Slater sat in the background to watch and listen. Receiver Elic Ayomanor and running back Tyjae Spears were there. Long snapper Morgan Cox and punter Johnny Hekker—both currently free agents—showed up as well.

If you’ve never been to one of these things, you might think that’s normal.

Heading into my 10th season covering this franchise, Thursday’s crowd was the most players I’ve ever seen attend a press conference of any kind. Veteran edge rusher Brian Orakpo’s retirement announcement would rank second. To see so many members of the current roster—and even some not presently under contract—in the building at all was surprising.

To see them hanging on every word Robert Saleh spoke said even more. It showed just how badly this mix of veterans and young players needs something—and someone—to believe in.

The Titans have finished in last place three consecutive seasons, winning only 12 of a possible 51 games in that span. Six of those wins came in 2023 under former head coach Mike Vrabel. Tennessee has gone 3–14 in each of the past two years.

I asked Saleh about the show of support during a sidebar session with select media following the press conference.

“I’m grateful,” Saleh said. “I wouldn’t know the past of this building. I am grateful that those guys showed up. I was messing with a couple of them, asking if they didn’t have anything else to do with it being so snowy out. These players— all of them— they want to get somewhere in their career. They want to achieve the pinnacle of what they’re capable of. All of them believe they’re capable of All-Pro, world championships, MVPs.

“It is our job and our obligation to do everything for these young men to get them where they need to be, whether it’s on the field or off the field. I believe that. Those aren’t just words. You’ll see me put my money where my mouth is with regards to our staff and how we approach every player. They’re the most important people in this organization, and we’re going to do everything we can to get them where they need to be.”

It’s the kind of thing every coach says.

One can only hope that Saleh’s previous head coaching experience taught him how to actually get it done. A 20–36 record and a dismissal five games into Year 4 with the New York Jets came with plenty of failures. Saleh never made the playoffs in New York and never finished a season with a record better than 7–10.

Ward, Simmons, and the rest are counting on their new head coach to raise his level just as much as they’re being asked to raise theirs.

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