The NFL schedule makers couldn’t help themselves.
For the second straight year, the New York Jets will have a revenge-themed Week 1 contest to start their season. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed on social media that the Jets will travel to play the Tennessee Titans.
“In Week 1 last year, the Jets saw the [Pittsburgh] Steelers and former QB Aaron Rodgers. This year, they get [Robert] Saleh,” Schultz added.
Revenge Is on the NFL’s Minds
In 2021, the Jets traveled to play the Carolina Panthers. During that season-opening matchup, the Jets faced the quarterback they traded away that same offseason, Sam Darnold.
Last year, the Jets hosted Rodgers and the Steelers to kick off the 2025 season. Aaron Glenn’s first big decision after taking over as the HC of the NYJ was kicking Rodgers to the curb.
The revenge angle has reared its ugly head once again with Saleh and a Justice League of former Jets facing off against his old team to kick off 2026.
Saleh was hired as the Jets’ head coach after the two-year disaster run with Adam Gase. Saleh was in New York from 2021 until he was fired in 2024. Across his three seasons and change as the HC, Saleh finished with a 20-36 overall record.
After being fired by the Jets in October of 2024, Saleh served as an offensive consultant with the Green Bay Packers for the rest of that season.
In 2025, he returned home with the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive cooridator. After a year and a half’s sabbatical away from the head coach chair, Saleh got his second shot to run an organization when he was hired by Tennessee this offseason.
So Much Connective Tissue to Dive in On
We have another four months to talk about all of the storylines heading into this matchup. However, the number of coaches and players who have traded sides between these two squads is insane.
List of former Jets on the Titans coaching staff:
- Robert Saleh: head coach
- Marquand Manuel: defensive backs and safeties
- Tony Oden: defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks
- Tanzel Smart: assistant defensive line
- Aaron Whitecotton: defensive run game coordinator and defensive line
List of former Jets on the Titans roster:
- Jermaine Johnson: pass rusher
- Hendon Hooker: quarterback
- Michael Carter: running back
- Tony Adams: safety
- Jacob Martin: pass rusher
- Solomon Thomas: pass rusher
- John Franklin-Myers: pass rusher
- Austin Deculus: offensive line
List of former Titans on the Jets coaching staff:
- Chris Harris: defensive backs and pass game coordinator
- Shawn Jefferson: wide receivers
- Brian Natkin: assistant offensive line
- Al Netter: assistant offensive line
- Junior Taylor: assistant wide receivers
List of former Titans on the Jets roster:
- Jarvis Brownlee Jr: cornerback
- Samuel Womack III: cornerback
- T’Vondre Sweat: defensive tackle
- Xavier Newman-Johnson: offensive line
Overreactions Will Be Coming for This Game
Regardless of who wins this Jets vs. Titans Week 1 matchup, overreactions are inevitable.
If Glenn loses to the guy he replaced in Saleh, the media, radio, and TV stations will be raining hellfire from the skies. If he wins, coach Glenn could have a honeymoon bump after the 0-7 start to the season last year.
Jets Week 1 Opponent Leaked, Set for Another Revenge Game: Report