Former Jets stars pull disappearing act in Robert Saleh revenge game flop

Those on the Tennessee Titans who treated Week 1 as a revenge match were quickly reminded why Robert Saleh is no longer coaching the New York Jets.

Jermaine Johnson II and Solomon Thomas are among the former Jets who reunited with Saleh in Tennessee, and Sunday presented a familiar result. Not only did the Titans look overwhelmed in a 23-10 home loss, but those who’d previously played for him in New York were complete non-factors.

Johnson had two tackles for a Titans defense that failed to sack Geno Smith. Thomas didn't record a tackle, and John-Franklin Myers — whom the Jets traded to Tennessee this past offseason for a sixth-round pick — had three tackles. Truly an impressive effort for a team that the national media treated as a sleeper playoff candidate.

Jets fans in attendance at Nissan Stadium taunted Saleh by chanting Aaron Glenn’s name, though at least the veteran defensive mind can take solace in knowing that he’s not the only ex-Jets figure to become the butt of the joke.

Jermaine Johnson and the ex-New York Jets players failed the Titans in their Week 1 loss

As of publication, Pro Football Focus had yet to publish its final grades for Week 1. We bring that up as a reminder that, regardless of what the math might potentially say, the Titans’ defense was a colossal letdown on Sunday afternoon.

With respect to the Jets’ offensive line, the fact that the Titans didn’t sack Smith once is outright shameful. We appreciate Joe Tippmann and Olu Fashanu as much as the next person, but not a single sack? What was the point in partnering Jeffrey Simmons with Johnson and John Franklin-Myers, not to mention first-round pick Keldric Faulk?

Thomas talked a big game this past week, calling out the Jets for firing Saleh after a 2-3 start in 2024. Sunday was only further proof that Saleh is an excellent defensive coordinator but simply unfit to be a head coach. He has the résumé, sure, but you’d think the Titans would have seen enough from his 56 games in New York. 

Jacob Martin was the only former Jet to do anything notable on Sunday afternoon, recording the Titans’ lone quarterback hit. For his part, Smith said he felt like the Titans never even touched him. That’s a ringing endorsement for Saleh’s unit. 

Remember: The Jets went 3-14 last year and are widely viewed as a five- or six-win team. If Saleh couldn’t beat them at home, then why should any Titans fan feel confident about what’s to come? Cam Ward looked uncomfortable in Brian Daboll’s offense, and the Titans’ defense proved useless. 

What a way for Glenn and the Jets to ring in the new year. Now we’ll see whether the pundits who tried to turn Saleh into Bill Belichick or Bill will have any follow-up analysis this week.

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