Robert Saleh is getting a firm vote of confidence from the top of the Tennessee Titans organisation, even with the team sitting at 0-5 to start the 2026 season. CEO Burke Nihill, speaking on behalf of controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, says the head coach and general manager Mike Borgonzi will eventually steer the franchise back to competitive football.
Nihill Backs Robert Saleh and Mike Borgonzi
In an interview with ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Nihill said he feels a real sense of stability inside the building. He stressed that the organisation believes in both leaders and that they have all the support they need to move the rebuild forward. Describing the team’s trajectory, he said, “The train is on the tracks.” In his view, momentum hasn’t arrived yet, but it will.
The message matters because patience in Tennessee has worn thin. Fans have watched the team struggle for years, and Nihill’s comments were clearly meant to quiet speculation about the leadership group.
A Long Road Back for Tennessee
The Titans haven’t had a winning season since 2021, the last of three straight playoff trips under Mike Vrabel. Vrabel was fired after two losing seasons. Brian Callahan then went 4-19 before being dismissed following Week 6 of the 2025 campaign. Borgonzi arrived as GM ahead of that season, and the franchise has gone 6-33 since 2024.
When Robert Saleh took over in 2026, he brought in former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator. The goal was to help second-year quarterback Cam Ward develop into a franchise passer. For more sports coverage and analysis, you can also explore this blog.
Offensive Struggles and Signs of Fight
So far, the plan hasn’t worked. Ward has the lowest expected points added per dropback (-0.27) of any qualified quarterback, with 896 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Tennessee enters Week 6 ranked last in both points and yards.
Still, the Titans haven’t been blown out every week. Under Robert Saleh, they pushed the Eagles in a 24-20 Week 2 loss, fell to the Giants by five points, and rallied from a 24-7 deficit against the Ravens before losing 24-18. Those near-misses show a team competing, but moral victories don’t change the standings.
An Apology to the Fans
After a 26-3 divisional loss to the Houston Texans, Nihill apologised to the fanbase. He said the organisation feels grief and responsibility, admitted the team has let supporters down, and acknowledged that 0-5 isn’t good enough. Football, he said, is supposed to be fun.
The next few weeks will test whether Robert Saleh can turn those competitive stretches into wins. With ownership support secured, the pressure now shifts to the field, where Ward’s development and offensive improvement will shape the season.
FAQs
1. Is Robert Saleh safe as Titans head coach?
Nihill publicly said the organisation believes in both the coach and Borgonzi and that they have the support they need.
2. What is the Titans’ record in 2026?
Tennessee is 0-5 and has gone 6-33 since 2024.
3. How is Cam Ward performing this season?
Ward has thrown for 896 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, with the league’s lowest EPA per dropback among qualified quarterbacks.
4. When did the Titans last have a winning season?
The Titans’ last winning season was 2021.