3 reasons why 49ers possibly hiring Robert Saleh makes complete sense
The San Francisco 49ers are close to making former Jets head coach Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator for the 2025 season.
Follow Us
Robert Saleh (Image via FirstSportz)
Robert Saleh is returning to familiar territory. The 45-year-old is close to joining the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator.
On Thursday, NBC’s Matt Maiocco reported that Saleh, who was the favorite to become the next head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, decided to turn them down and head to the 49ers facility to take charge of the defense.
Besides Maiocco, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini revealed that Saleh never left New Jersey for Jacksonville. He had plans to travel to Florida for a second interview, but the plans remain fluid. After hearing about Saleh’s plans, Jaguars owner Shad Khan quickly hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their head coach.
Robert Saleh never left New Jersey for Jacksonville. He was planning on flying into Jacksonville for the interview but plans are fluid.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 24, 2025
Coen’s appointment closed Jacksonville’s doors for Saleh. Besides the Jaguars, NFC East’s Dallas Cowboys also shortlisted the former New York Jets coach to fill their vacant head coaching job. However, Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has emerged as the favorite to get the job ahead of the likes of Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll and HOF Deion Sanders.
Dallas still determining how it will go forward at head coach. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did have an informal conversation with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, according to a source
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 23, 2025
The new developments cleared the path for the 49ers to bring Saleh in.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The #49ers are "expected" to hire Robert Saleh as their new Defensive Coordinator, per @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/2tgT8IuQTC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 24, 2025
Why does hiring Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator make sense for the 49ers?
1. Saleh can revive 49ers defensive woes
Robert Saleh spent four seasons with the Jets and finished with a 20-36 record. Despite the disappointing record, his defenses have always been top-notch. In his five years with the Jets, the defense ranked top 10 in yards allowed five times, top 10 in points allowed twice, and top 10 in takeaways twice.
Compared to that the 49ers’ defense fell apart last season, finishing 29th in the league in points allowed (25.6 PPG) and eighth in yards allowed (317.4 YPG). Head coach Kyle Shanahan demoted Nick Sorensen and took over the reins himself. However, even after Saleh is hired, Shanahan wants to keep Sorensen around for a different role.
The last time the 49ers fielded a competitive defense was when DeMeco Ryans was the DC. After he left to take the head coaching job at Houston Texans in 2023, the Niners’ defense gradually weakened over time.
2. Old history will do good for both parties
Saleh will have no trouble picking up where he left the Niners defense back in 2020. Defensive stalwarts Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Alex Barrett, Dre Greenlaw, and Demetrius Flannigan Fowles are still part of the team. Saleh can easily connect with them and understand the situation better.
The 49ers hired Saleh in 2017 and quickly switched the defense’s face. Two years into his regimen, the Niners defense was sixth in the league in forced turnovers (27), second in total defense (281.8 yards per game), first in passing defense (169.2 yards per game), and fourth in sacks (48). After finishing the 2020 season with a 13-3 record, the Niners reached the Super Bowl but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Saleh left to become the head coach of the New York Jets the following season.
3. Gives more leverage to retain star players
Hiring Saleh makes it easier for general manager Jed York’s job. His proven track record with the defense may entice some of the players to stick around longer. Notably, Charvarius Ward wants to leave San Francisco for personal reasons, but Saleh’s appointment may force him to rethink his initial decision. Greenlaw’s contract is also up, but he was one of the key members for the 49ers when they reached the Super Bowl in 2023, and he has worked with Saleh, so he might stick around.
Spotrac revealed that the Niners have a cap space of $36,952,679 for the 2025 season. They haven’t finalized any deals with Saleh, but reports suggest they might make him the highest-earning defensive coordinator in the league.
Related: Top 5 Bills-Chiefs games of all time
Stay Updated!
Ishan Misra
(3079 Articles Published)