Tennessee Titans’ Offseason Overhaul
Following a disappointing 3-14 record in 2025, the Tennessee Titans have entered a significant transition phase this offseason.
Brian Callahan was let go just six games into his second season as head coach. Subsequently, Robert Saleh, the former defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, stepped in to take over the role.
As Saleh begins his second stint as an NFL head coach, he faces the challenge of developing last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, Cam Ward, who had a rookie season featuring 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
This week marked Saleh’s first rookie camp with the Titans, and during a Thursday press conference, he emphasized that his focus extends beyond just the game itself.
In an interesting move, Saleh announced that seed oil will no longer be available in the team’s training facility in Nashville. He mentioned that the nutrition team is working closely with the coaching staff and players through this transition.
The Titans might substitute common cooking oils, like canola and soybean, with ones that are thought to optimize player performance.
Saleh stated, “One of the first things we did here was get rid of all the seed oil in the building, and I think the players appreciate that. It allowed us to meet our budget and offer better variety to our players,” he told reporters.
This announcement has stirred debate within the nutrition community, with mixed opinions arising. Dr. Matti Markland, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, argued that there is substantial evidence indicating seed oils are not harmful, suggesting they have been unfairly criticized based on misconceptions.
It’s worth noting that while seed oils have not been directly tied to violations of the NFL’s drug policy, players should remain cautious about how certain oils are handled. For instance, hemp seed oil is usually free of cannabinoids, making it unlikely to trigger a positive THC test. However, unrefined hemp oil could contain trace amounts of THC metabolites, which might pose a risk during drug testing.
Meanwhile, poppy seed oil, often found in pastries, can carry traces of morphine and codeine, potentially leading to positive drug test results if consumed in large quantities.
In 2016, players were cautioned against eating meat from China and Mexico due to concerns about clenbuterol contamination—a substance banned under the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. An administrative memo from that era highlighted the risks associated with consuming large amounts of meat in certain countries.
The Titans are set to kick off their regular season at home against the New York Jets on September 13, a team that Saleh previously coached from 2021 to 2024.
