After a period of professional uncertainty, Robert Saleh was clear on one thing: if he returned to being a defensive coordinator, he wanted to do it with the San Francisco 49ers.
Following the departure of coordinator Nick Sorensen in January, the team quickly focused on hiring Saleh. And, barring another head coaching opportunity, Saleh had a similar idea in mind. After not getting the head coaching job with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he returned to the 49ers on January 25, reuniting with coach Kyle Shanahan and the franchise that gave him his first opportunity as a coordinator.
I have tremendous respect for this organization. I am indebted to them for the rest of my life.
Robert Saleh
Saleh, speaking to the Bay Area media for the first time since his return, said his loyalty to the 49ers stems not only from the opportunity they initially gave him in 2017, but also from how they supported him when his first two years as coordinator didn’t go well.
Before the New York Jets hired Saleh as head coach, he was already on the hot seat in San Francisco. Saleh’s first two defenses finished 25th and 28th in points allowed in 2017 and 2018, respectively. However, Shanahan backed Saleh, noting at the time that the defense needed to continue adding talent.
In 2019, that unit had a fearsome defensive line. That year, the defense became the backbone of a team that reached Super Bowl LIV. Saleh’s defense finished in the top eight in the NFL in points allowed, yards allowed, turnovers, expected points defensive added, yards per play allowed, and passing yards per game allowed, among others.
After the 2020 season, Saleh headed to the Jets, where he amassed a 20-36 record before being fired in October. Now, Saleh returns to San Francisco hoping to be able to bring a once-proud defense back to previous levels of dominance. In 2024, San Francisco conceded 25.6 points per game (29th in the NFL), had a defensive EPA of -57.71 (26th), and managed only 17 forced turnovers (tied for 20th). In the last three games, they allowed 38.7 points and 404.3 yards per game without any turnovers.
Saleh said the defense has evolved a lot since his last stint in San Francisco.
You’re always trying to be two years ahead on offense.
Robert Saleh
Saleh acknowledged that a large part of his challenge in 2025 will be incorporating the many young defenders the 49ers will have to rely on early in their careers. Warner, Bosa, and defensive tackle Kevin Givens are the only 49ers defenders remaining on the roster from Saleh’s previous stint as coordinator. And the 49ers used their first five draft picks on defensive players for the first time since 1981.
Many of those rookies are expected to be starters or, at the very least, play immediately. They will begin that process this weekend when the 49ers hold their rookie minicamp.
It’s a really great group of kids that are coming in. They’re all going to get a chance to compete for significant playing time this year. But it’s exciting to get the injection of youth to go along with a lot of the veterans that we have on this football team… It’s going to be fun to work through.
Robert Saleh
At this point in the offseason program, Saleh hasn’t had the opportunity to do much on the field with any of his defensive players. That will happen soon when the team begins organized team activities later this month.
From then on, Saleh will face Shanahan again and new offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak.
Obviously, he has a lot of experience, a very good defensive coach. We haven’t sat around talking X’s and O’s much, but obviously watching the Jets’ defense in recent years, competing against them, just a great respect for their scheme and how hard those guys play. And so, it will be fun to compete against those guys in training camp and in the offseason.
Klay Kubiak
Regarding Saleh returning to be a head coach again, Shanahan previously noted that he understands that will always be a possibility for Saleh and that if another opportunity presented itself, it would likely mean good things had happened for the 49ers.
In the final months of last season, Saleh worked as a consultant for Packers coach Matt LaFleur, one of his closest friends in the business. Saleh called that time “therapeutic” as it allowed him not to spend too much time thinking about what happened in New York.
Even so, Saleh could have taken a sabbatical from football if he had wanted to recharge his batteries. Like taking another coordinator job, that didn’t really seem to be an option.
We are creatures of habit. It sounds good to wake up every morning, take my kids to school, play golf, and then watch the tape. But coaching the ball was always option one.
Robert Saleh
