Dike Says Titans Believe in Saleh Ahead of Deadline
Tennessee wide receiver Chimere Dike says players are not eager to leave as the NFL trade deadline approaches.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike said players believe in Coach Robert Saleh and each other as the NFL trade deadline nears. The comments come after the Titans traded Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears on Oct. 29, and the team sits at 1-7.
Why it matters
The Titans' 1-7 start and the Simmons trade have raised questions about the roster's direction ahead of the deadline. Dike's remarks offer a view from inside the locker room about how players are responding to Saleh's plan.
Dike has 11 catches for 124 yards and one touchdown this season and leads the NFL with 32 kickoff returns for 829 yards. He was drafted 103rd overall in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The players
Chimere Dike
Dike is a Titans wide receiver and kick returner who was a 2025 first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection.
Robert Saleh
Saleh is the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, a former defensive coordinator who previously led the New York Jets.
Calvin Ridley
Ridley is a Titans wide receiver and former Atlanta Falcons first-round pick who was involved in an incident at Nashville International Airport.
Jeffery Simmons
Simmons is a defensive tackle whom the Titans traded to the Chicago Bears on Oct. 29.
The details
Dike, a 2025 first-team All-Pro kick returner and Pro Bowl selection, said he does not believe players on the team are eager to leave. He said the locker room believes in Saleh's plan and in one another as the trade deadline at 3 p.m. CT on Nov. 10 approaches.
Timeline
Oct. 29: Titans trade Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears.
Nov. 7: Wide receiver Calvin Ridley is involved in an incident at Nashville International Airport.
Nov. 10: NFL trade deadline at 3 p.m. CT.
Nov. 15: Titans host the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Season Trajectory
Dike's 2,427 all-purpose yards as a rookie surpass Tim Brown's previous record of 2,317, setting a new benchmark for first-year players. The Titans' 1-7 start places them among the league's weakest teams as the trade deadline shapes their rebuilding path.
The trade deadline on Nov. 10 could change the Titans' roster before the next home game against Jacksonville on Nov. 15. Fantasy managers tracking Dike's kick returns and receiving production should watch for any shift in his role.
The takeaway
Dike's comments suggest the Titans' locker room is holding together despite a 1-7 record, which could matter for how the team approaches the trade deadline. Readers following the franchise should track roster moves in the days before Nov. 10.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. CT on Nov. 10, and the Titans host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 15.
Further reading
Read more in Nashville Football coverage of the Titans' season.
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