New Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh is still filling out his coaching staff. Saleh hit a home run by landing Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator. Saleh then shifted his attention to the defensive coordinator spot.
Saleh's former employer the San Francisco 49ers hired his successor over the weekend. Kyle Shanahan is hiring Raheem Morris as his new DC, according to national reports. Doing so had a domino effect on the Titans.
Gus Bradley, the 49ers assistant head coach, was rumored to be a candidate to succeed Saleh in San Francisco. He has seemingly lost out to Morris. The Titans are now hiring Bradley to be their defensive coordinator, according to a new report by Paul Kuharsky.
Titans hire Gus Bradley as new defensive coordinator following Kyle Shanahan's notable decision
Bradley and Saleh have been closely linked for more than a decade. Saleh became a defensive quality control coach with the Seahawks in 2011. Bradley was Seattle's defensive coordinator, setting the foundation for the legendary Legion of Boom defense.
Bradley became the Jaguars' head coach in 2013 and hired Saleh a season later in 2014 as his linebackers coach. They spent three collective campaigns together in Jacksonville prior to Bradley's 2016 firing. After nearly a decade apart, Bradley and Saleh reunited in 2025 with the 49ers.
It's worth noting Bradley accepted the Titans' DC vacancy despite it being a non-play-calling role. Saleh plans to call defensive plays in Tennessee. That did not impact Bradley's decision to join the Titans.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated previously reported that Bradley was also a candidate for the Cardinals' DC job. Arizona hired Mike LaFleur as head coach over the weekend. With LaFleur being an offensive-minded coach, Bradley would have possessed far more authority in Arizona as the defensive play caller. That wasn't enough to sway him away from reuniting with Saleh.
Saleh aimed to appoint a DC who is capable of serving as an extension of his voice. Bradley is the perfect choice given his familiarity with Saleh's defense. Bradley will be tasked with helping teach the scheme to entry-level coaching positions and players.
Shanahan's decision to bypass Bradley directly led to him becoming the Titans' new defensive coordinator.