If there was one common theme of the Tennessee Titans' start to free agency, it was familiarity. Head coach Robert Saleh brought in plenty of his former players that he's coached throughout his career. Some examples include defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, who played for Saleh when he was head coach of the New York Jets, and Jordan Elliott, who was on the San Francisco 49ers when Saleh was his defensive coordinator last season.
Just when you thought Saleh was done bringing in former players, you were wrong. He did so after the front office made a surprising trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Titans acquired defensive tackle Solomon Thomas and a 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 225 overall) from the Cowboys in exchange for the No. 218 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Another trade: Dallas is sending DL Solomon Thomas and a 7th-round pick to the Titans in exchange for another 7th-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2026
Picks 218 and 225.
Titans reacquire former Robert Saleh player Solomon Thomas in trade with Cowboys
Saleh now is bringing in another defender in Thomas, who probably has the most experince in his system. Thomas and Saleh worked together ever since the defensive tackle was selected third-overall by the 49ers. Saleh was his defensive coordinator for his first four seasons until he departed in 2021 to become the head coach of the Jets. But Thomas would join Saleh in New York in 2022 until the conclusion of the 2024 season. So the only time that the two never worked together was in 2021, when Thomas was on the Las Vegas Raiders, and last season, where the veteran tackle was on the Cowboys.
Thomas was primarily a bench option for the Cowboys in his lone season with the team. In 16 games (two starts), Thomas recorded 27 total tackles (10 assisted, 17 solo), three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one pass breakup. With the Cowboys already having Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams at the tackle positions, there wasn't much room for Thomas regardless. So, the Cowboys sent him to the Titans, and also dealt Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers.
Thomas isn't only reuniting with Saleh. He rejoins fellow Jets teammates in Franklin-Myers and defensive end Jermaine Johnson, who the Titans acquired from the Jets in exchange for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Oh, and he rejoins former Jets defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who holds the same position with the Titans.
As for the defensive tackle outlook, Thomas will likely slot in as a bench option with Jeffrey Simmons being a surefire lock. Franklin-Myers has a strong chance to be the primary starter alongside Simmons, considering he agreed to terms on a three-year, $63 million contract. So, Thomas and Elliott will likely be rotational pieces heading into training camp and potential the regular season.
This new Titans regime, led by Saleh, has shown they do value familiarity. Now, he brings in another defensive lineman in Thomas to help him, hopefully, have a more successful coaching tenure in Tennessee than in New York.