Robert Saleh Makes Decision on Return to 49ers As Defensive Coordinator

Saleh previously led the Niners defense from 2017 to '20 before becoming head coach of the New York Jets.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan (left) and New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh (right) talk before the game at Levi's Stadium. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers defense will be led by a very familiar face in 2025.

Robert Saleh, who led Kyle Shanahan's defense from 2017 to '20 before becoming head coach of the New York Jets, will return to the Bay Area in an effort to help the 49ers get back on track, The Athletic reports. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer confirmed San Francisco is hiring Saleh as its new defensive coordinator on Friday night.

Source confirms that ex-Jets coach Robert Saleh has accepted the Niners defensive coordinator job. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan was patient with Saleh’s head-coaching pursuits, and with the Dallas and Vegas jobs now spoken for, that patience paid off.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 25, 2025

Saleh was fired by the Jets after a 2–3 start to the '24 season, and a 20–36 record overall that was mired by the team's failure to stabilize the quarterback position. Former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson never found his footing as a starting quarterback and Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on the first drive of the 2023 season. He recovered in time to play in '24, but was far from the MVP-caliber player he was just a few years earlier with the Green Bay Packers.

Saleh retained head coaching interest around the league, speaking with the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders about their openings. While two of those jobs remain unfilled, evidently Saleh is comfortable returning to Shanahan's staff.

The 49ers ranked in the top five in total defense in both '19 and '20 under Saleh. This year's defense surrendered just 317.4 yards per game (eighth in the NFL) but was tied for 27th in scoring, allowing 25.6 points per game.

---

More of the Latest Around the NFL

feed