Dennard

Wilson

Wilson served under John Harbaugh in 2023 as the Ravens’ defensive backs coach. The veteran coach was hired as the Titans’ defensive coordinator in 2024 and saw his defenses ranked 28th and 30th in points allowed during his two years with the team. With that in mind, Wilson didn’t have much to work with in Tennessee, which finished as the worst team in football in his first season with the team, and didn’t fare much better this year. He’ll get a chance at a fresh restart with the Giants, who are better set up for success entering next season.

The Titans, now under head coach Robert Saleh’s leadership, fired Wilson yesterday. Wilson served in his former role for the past two seasons. During the 2025 regular season, Wilson’s squad allowed 5.8 yards per play, tying for the sixth-most in the NFL.

The Titans recently hired defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh, who will implement his own defensive scheme. Wilson held the Titans’ defensive coordinator role for the past two seasons. He has coached in the NFL since 2012.

Wilson’s work was often overlooked toiling behind Brian Callahan’s horrific offense over the past two years, but the Titans played well on run defense and at least came up with some exotic blitz looks to deal with their lack of pass-rush surge. Still under contract with the Titans, Wilson would likely be allowed to walk as the Titans new head coach wouldn’t necessarily want to retain him.

Wilson had been getting interest around the league for defensive coordinator positions after a 2023 season coaching an elite Ravens secondary. Ravens defensive backs like Kyle Hamilton and Brandon Stephens took steps forward this season under Wilson and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Now, the Ravens lose both as Macdonald left for the Seahawks’ head coaching job. Meanwhile, Wilson joins a new Titans staff led by Brian Callahan, who matched up with Wilson twice as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator.

As Schefter mentions, Dennard Wilson is one of the most in-demand candidates out there after securing defensive coordinator interviews with the Giants, Rams, Packers, and Titans this month. The Ravens secondary was one of the best units in the league this season under Wilson, so he does make sense as a candidate for promotion. However, he will have stiff competition from Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, who is also up for the head coaching job in Washington.

Wilson is a hot name in coaching circles, landing defensive coordinator interviews with the Giants, Rams, and Titans this month. Wilson coached an elite Baltimore secondary graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s second best coverage unit in 2023. The Ravens allowed the fourth lowest drop back success rate this season. Wilson could improve a suspect Green Bay secondary if he lands the Packers gig.

He’ll also be hosted for a second interview with the Giants in addition to a first interview with the Titans for the same position. The Ravens finished the 2023 season ranked in the top five in numerous metrics against the pass including pass yards allowed per game, fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterback and wide receivers, and total points allowed per game, leaving Wilson as a popular candidate for vacant defensive coordinator positions this offseason.

Wilson met with the Giants for their defensive coordinator vacancy earlier this month and is now on the Titans’ radar. While Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has justifiably received a lot of the credit for Baltimore’s success this season, we can’t overlook the contributions Wilson has made to a pass defense that’s ranked sixth in pass yards allowed and first in net yards per pass attempt. Wilson is one of several coaches being targeted by other teams for promotions during this coaching cycle. In addition to his tenure with the Ravens, Wilson has also spent time as a defensive backs coach and/or passing game coordinator with the Rams, Jets, and Eagles.

Wilson joined Baltimore as their defensive backs coach last offseason. He previously held the same role with the Eagles, but the two sides mutually parted ways after Philly passed on him for their defensive coordinator opening in favor of Sean Desai. The Giants parted ways with Wink Martindale after two years a few days ago. Wilson is the first candidate the Giants have interviewed for their defensive coordinator vacancy. He is one of many Baltimore coaches teams around the league are eager to poach this offseason.