San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan playfully suggested that Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh's lack of discipline was the reason for multiple fights during the 49ers' joint practice with the Titans a week prior. Shanahan's comments came after the 49ers completed a nearly two-hour joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday without any altercations.
"No, their head coach had more discipline than Tennessee’s," Shanahan said when asked if he had spoken to his players about maintaining control. He quickly clarified that he was joking about his longtime friend and former colleague.
During the earlier practice with the Titans, four fights broke out within the first 10 minutes of team drills. Titans offensive linemen Austin Deculus and Dan Moore Jr. were ejected for throwing punches, and Shanahan removed two of his own players from the session, whose identities were not disclosed.
In contrast, the joint practice with the Chargers, which involved both teams in full pads, was described by reporters as unusually peaceful. This stark difference in conduct led to Shanahan's humorous remark.
Saleh has a history with the 49ers, having served as their defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020 before taking the head coaching job with the New York Jets. He returned to the 49ers for the 2025 season before accepting his current role with Tennessee. Shanahan and Saleh also worked together with the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2009.
Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Chargers, also has ties to San Francisco, having led the 49ers to three consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance during his four-year tenure. Despite the disciplined practice, the Chargers offense, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, reportedly exposed San Francisco's secondary multiple times during the session.