Jets insider reveals Titans HC Robert Saleh was expecting Week 1 schedule reveal

While the NFL released its full slate of regular-season games late last week, the list of opponents has been public knowledge since January.

The Tennessee Titans, coached by former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, were on the docket. And it only made sense that New York would be facing their former steward in a standout window, along with a slew of former Jets players who joined Saleh in Nashville.

Well, in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, the Jets will face the new-look Titans in Tennessee, and it's going to be a pivotal one that could set the tone of the entire season.

But one Jets insider says Saleh was expecting to face his old team this early in the season, and he wasn't surprised to be facing the Jets so early in his tenure with the Titans.

Rich Cimini reveals Robert Saleh was 'expecting' Week 1 Jets matchup

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported on his show, The Jets Collective, that it was revealed to him by talking with people close to Saleh that he knew a Week 1 matchup between the Jets and Titans was incredibly likely.

"It'll be an interesting game, you know, and I know Saleh, just from talking to people who know him, he was expecting this matchup. He was not surprised at all by this being set up against the Jets. He just knew this, like we all did. We all had a feeling that this was going to be the matchup."

Rich Cimini

To Cimini's point, it almost felt like a given that the Jets and Titans would be facing off in Week 1 once it was revealed the two franchises were on each other's schedule.

Not only is Saleh the head coach, but they also boast several former Jets players across their defense.

Defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Solomon Thomas will play major roles on the interior, while pass rushers Jacob Martin and Jermaine Johnson get after opposing quarterbacks. Heck, even safety Tony Adams found a spot with his former coach despite poor play in 2025.

Week 1 will be a grudge match to end all grudge matches, as both teams look to prove they're better off without the others.

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