Titans Hire Gus Bradley To Overhaul Defense Under Robert Saleh

The Tennessee Titans’ coaching carousel has spun yet again, and this time, it’s landed on a familiar face in NFL defensive circles. On February 2, 2026, the Titans announced the hiring of Gus Bradley as their new defensive coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience—and a reunion with head coach Robert Saleh—to a team hungry for a defensive revival.

Bradley’s journey to Nashville is as winding as it is impressive. Just last season, he was the assistant head coach of defense for the San Francisco 49ers, working hand-in-hand with Saleh, who served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. The two have a storied professional relationship, having first crossed paths in Seattle back in 2011 and 2012 when Bradley was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator and Saleh was a defensive quality control coach. Their paths converged again in Jacksonville, where Bradley, as head coach of the Jaguars from 2013 to 2016, brought Saleh on as his linebackers coach from 2014 to 2016. Most recently, their collaboration with the 49ers helped shape a defense known for its red zone toughness, even if the team struggled in other defensive categories.

Bradley’s resume is nothing short of extensive. After cutting his teeth as a defensive coordinator at the collegiate level with Fort Lewis and North Dakota State from 1992 to 2002, he broke into the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006, working under defensive guru Monte Kiffin. But it was in Seattle where Bradley truly made his mark, architecting the famed “Legion of Boom” defense from 2009 to 2012. In 2012, his unit allowed just 15.3 points per game, the stingiest mark in the league, and only 306.2 yards per game, good for fourth-best. Those numbers turned heads across the league, eventually earning Bradley the head coaching job in Jacksonville.

His tenure with the Jaguars, however, was a rocky one. Over four seasons, Bradley amassed a 14-48 record—a stretch marked by rebuilding and growing pains. Despite the struggles, Bradley’s reputation as a defensive mind endured. He returned to his coordinator roots, taking the reins of the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense from 2017 to 2020, then moving on to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 and the Indianapolis Colts from 2022 to 2024. Each stint added another layer to his defensive philosophy, blending aggressive pass rush schemes with a focus on disciplined secondary play.

When Saleh was tapped as the Titans’ head coach, speculation swirled about who would help him resurrect a defense that had fallen from grace. In 2024, under former coordinator Dennard Wilson, the Titans boasted the NFL’s second-ranked total defense and a top-10 unit by yards allowed per play. But 2025 saw a dramatic regression. Injuries and trades decimated the secondary, and Tennessee tumbled to the bottom five in both points allowed and yards per play. Still, the pass rush remained surprisingly productive, even without elite edge talent—a testament to the team’s resilience but also a glaring indicator of roster holes.

Bradley’s arrival, then, is as much about leadership as it is about X’s and O’s. While Saleh made it clear during his introductory press conference that he’ll call the defensive plays himself—"I’m retaining play-calling responsibilities for the defense," he told reporters—Bradley’s role will be pivotal. He’ll be tasked with implementing the weekly game plan, installing Saleh’s defensive scheme, and mentoring a roster that features both established stars and emerging talents.

Speaking of stars, the Titans’ defense is anchored by All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who was named first-team All-Pro in 2025. Simmons is flanked by linebackers Cody Barton and Cedric Gray, and a trio of safeties in Amani Hooker, Xavier Woods, and Kevin Winston Jr. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat adds depth to the interior line. However, the Titans face pressing depth concerns at cornerback and edge defender—areas that Bradley and Saleh will need to address if they hope to recapture their 2024 defensive form.

Bradley’s recent work in San Francisco offers a glimpse of what Titans fans might expect. Although the 49ers ranked 21st in run defense, 25th in pass defense, and last in sacks during the 2025 season, they excelled in the red zone, ranking 12th in touchdown prevention at 53.8 percent. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir praised Bradley’s impact, saying, “Gus helped us a lot figuring out stuff. He had so much knowledge.” That kind of expertise could be invaluable for a Titans defense looking to regain its swagger.

Bradley’s hiring also adds to a staff loaded with head coaching experience. Saleh, who previously led the New York Jets, and new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, former head coach of the New York Giants, round out a trio of former NFL head coaches now guiding the Titans. This collective wisdom is expected to pay dividends as the team navigates a pivotal offseason and prepares for a challenging 2026 campaign.

The process that brought Bradley to Tennessee was not without its twists. After Saleh’s departure from the 49ers, Bradley was considered a candidate for the San Francisco defensive coordinator job. But when 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan opted for Raheem Morris, Bradley’s path cleared. The Titans and Arizona Cardinals both expressed interest, but ultimately, Bradley chose to reunite with Saleh in Nashville.

What’s next for the Titans’ defense? The unit’s backbone remains strong, but the secondary and edge need bolstering. With free agency and the draft looming, expect Bradley and Saleh to prioritize those areas. Their shared history and complementary philosophies could foster a quick turnaround, especially if the Titans can stay healthy and add the right pieces.

For now, the news of Bradley’s hiring has injected a sense of optimism into the Titans’ fanbase. There’s no denying the challenges ahead, but with a staff boasting deep experience and a clear defensive vision, Tennessee’s defense could be poised for a resurgence. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on how Bradley helps shape the next chapter of Titans football. Change is in the air in Nashville, and with Gus Bradley at the helm of the defense, the Titans are betting on a return to their hard-hitting, disciplined roots.