{
  "id": 6475075,
  "title": "Former Jets turned Titans defender criticizes Robert Saleh's 2024 firing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/former-jets-turned-titans-defender-criticizes-robert-salehs-2024",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T21:06:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/former-jets-turned-titans-defender-210610294.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Robert Saleh, who previously coached the New York Jets before being fired by them during the 2024 season, is facing criticism from one of his former players and now current Titans defender Solomon Thomas. Thomas, who also played under Saleh with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2020, followed him to the Jets and later rejoined him in Nashville. Speaking to The Tennessean, Thomas defended Saleh's decision to stay in the NFL and questioned the timing of his firing by the Jets. He stated, \"We were tied for first in our division and our head coach gets fired... In no situation would that ever make sense.\" Thomas further praised Saleh's leadership skills, noting that the number of former Jets players who have followed him to Tennessee demonstrates the players' admiration for Saleh. He added, \"Just the fact that he has so many former Jets here just shows that guys love playing for him. They know what he's about to do here and they want to be a part of it.\" Despite the criticism from Thomas, the Jets made the decision to fire Saleh after a 2-3 start to the 2024 season, resulting in a 22-34 overall record for the franchise.",
  "summary": "Now reunited with Robert Saleh, Solomon Thomas said he never understood the Jets' decision to fire their former head coach during the 2024 season.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Jets defender Solomon Thomas criticizes Robert Saleh's 2024 firing.",
    "Thomas played under Saleh with 49ers, Titans, and Jets.",
    "Thomas praises Saleh's leadership, noting former Jets players follow him."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Former New York HC Robert Saleh Has Prediction for Jets 2026 Offense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/former-new-york-hc-robert-saleh-has-prediction-for-jets-2026-offense",
        "published": "2026-09-09T19:47:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}