The San Francisco 49ers made a big splash this offseason when they hired Robert Saleh to be the team’s defensive coordinator after he was fired from the New York Jets.
Saleh had been the Jets head coach
since 2021 and had seen ups and downs during his tenure, which was primarily hampered by quarterback play. After interviewing for head coaching opportunities this offseason, Saleh returned to the 49ers as their defensive coordinator.
Through the first 11 weeks, he’s been dealt a rough hand with a young, developing team facing a number of key injuries. Still, he’s managed to make the most of the situation and is still regarded well around the league as a possible head coaching candidate.
Could that come as early as this offseason? Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes there’ll at least be some consideration for it.
“I think Saleh is at least going to elicit interest, and may well land a [head coaching] job,” Breer said about the 49ers defensive coordinator. “He’ll interview well, he’s very close with a lot of the Shanahan-McVay tree offensive coaches (so finding a good OC won’t be a chore), and he’ll be able to energize a franchise that’s fallen on hard times. I could see the Titans or the Giants taking a long look at him, paired potentially with a Mike McDaniel (if he doesn’t make it in Miami) or Mike LaFleur to run the offense.”
Saleh has already tried to make it work with LaFleur in New York. As for McDaniel, it’s unclear whether he’ll make it past this year as the Dolphins head coach amid a struggling season. If he does get fired, he’d be a ripe offensive coordinator candidate for any team.
Who could replace Saleh if he does depart?
“If Saleh’s out, I know current Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich would be very high on Shanahan’s list,” Breer continued. “Whether he actually becomes available is another question. He likely won’t. So my guess is Gus Bradley, who’s currently in-house in San Francisco, would probably be the guy. Shanahan has grown to really like him, and he’d be able to take the baton pretty easily from Saleh, whom he mentored years ago.”
The 49ers made a run at Ulbrich last year before settling on Steve Wilks as their defensive coordinator, which didn’t go well. It’s unclear whether they’ll get permission to interview Ulbrich. For that reason, Bradley seems like the likelier candidate, and a potential succession plan the 49ers have already discussed after bringing him on board.
Regardless, the 49ers are hoping that, even in a weaker head coach cycle, Saleh remains with the team for another year, where he’d have a fully healthy defense at his disposal.
But, the rumor mill is already starting to churn and Saleh will likely have the opportunity for head coaching interviews this offseason.
