Robert Saleh downplays his mistakes in New York ahead of Titans-Jets showdown

Back in the day, Robert Saleh might have taken a far different approach when discussing the Tennessee Titans’ Week 1 showdown with the New York Jets.

Gone are the “they don’t like us and we don’t like them” press conference remarks ahead of a rivalry or revenge game. Next Sunday marks the first time that Saleh will face the Jets since his October 2024 dismissal, and he once again opted for boring, cliché remarks that wouldn’t even excite a toddler.

“There’s things that we did in New York that I feel really good about that I felt were the right things to do," Saleh told reporters. "There’s things that we did where it wasn’t so good. You take those learning experiences [and] try to apply it to this opportunity.”

And?

“And look, we’re still going to make mistakes,” Saleh continued. “No one bats 1.000. But I’m grateful for the opportunity."

New York Jets fans should still roll their eyes at Robert Saleh’s press conference demeanor

It’s been a bit since we got to break down a Robert Saleh press conference, so let’s turn it back to 2021 and go line-by-line.

“There’s things that we did in New York that I feel really good about that I felt were the right things to do.”

Ah, yes. Who wouldn’t view a defensive-minded coach using the No. 2 pick on a raw quarterback prospect as the “right thing” to do? Granted, Joe Douglas and Christopher Johnson deserve a significant amount of the blame for the Zach Wilson pick, largely because they hired Saleh while likely knowing they intended to take a quarterback that early.

Yet, Saleh did nothing to help Wilson adjust to the NFL. That’s not to say that Trey Lance or Mac Jones would have had better careers in New York. 

In all seriousness, what did Saleh do that he can confidently say he feels “really good about”? The only thing that immediately comes to mind is the trio of Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall. 

"There’s things that we did where it wasn’t so good.”

That’s why you became the first Jets coach fired midseason since 1975.

“You take those learning experiences [and] try to apply it to this opportunity.”

In theory, Saleh is correct, yet he’s clearly learned nothing from his time in New York. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have signed off on the Titans guaranteeing $14 million to ex-Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger, who is best used as an additional blocker. No one is faulting Brian Daboll for wanting to bring in his former players, but $14 million for a blocking tight end?

Saleh is still spouting the “all gas no brake” mantra that quickly made him a meme among Jets fans. We understand that there are certain phrases that people like to live by, whether it’s a religious verse or a quote from a movie. Common sense suggests, though, that you should explore a new philosophy. 

But if Saleh had common sense, maybe he’d have made it four full years with the Jets. Perhaps it’d be him, and not Aaron Glenn, who’d be enjoying the rise of Adonai Mitchell and David Bailey.

Instead, Saleh and the Titans used the No. 4 pick on a receiver rather than offensive line help for a young quarterback. Great work. Truly.  

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