Robert Saleh isn’t pounding the table for a head coaching job-but make no mistake, his name is going to be in the mix this hiring cycle. After a standout season as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Saleh has quietly rebuilt his stock, and the league has taken notice.
Saleh recently spoke about his coaching future, and his message was clear: the ambition is there, but he’s not chasing the next opportunity just to check a box. “Everyone wants to be at the top of their profession,” he said.
“Is my desire to get to the top of the profession and hoist the Lombardi one day? Absolutely.
Am I in a hurry? No, I love it here.”
That last part matters-Saleh isn’t looking to jump ship just for the sake of it. He’s looking for the right fit, not just any open seat.
And he can afford to be patient. What he’s done with the 49ers’ defense this season speaks volumes.
San Francisco has climbed from 31st to 15th in points allowed per drive, cutting nearly half a point off last year’s average. That’s not just improvement-that’s transformation.
And it's happening despite a rash of injuries that would have derailed most units. In the red zone, the gains are just as impressive.
A year ago, the 49ers were dead last, giving up 5.54 points per red-zone trip. This year?
That number’s down to 4.8. That’s the kind of turnaround that gets front offices talking.
League insiders expect Saleh to be a serious candidate this offseason, and not just because of what he’s done in San Francisco. His time as head coach of the Jets still carries weight-especially when you consider how competitive those teams were, often with limited resources and instability at quarterback.
One source put it bluntly: “He has credentials and done a good job with an injured defense.” In a hiring cycle that doesn’t feature a deep pool of standout candidates, that kind of résumé stands out.
Now, if you’re Saleh, the question becomes: what job is worth leaving for? Not every opening is created equal. A team like the Giants or Titans might be technically available, but they don’t exactly scream "ideal landing spot"-especially for a coach who’s already had one run as a head man and wants to get it right the second time around.
But if a more intriguing job opens up-say, in Cincinnati-that’s a different story. The Bengals have long-term stability at quarterback, the fourth-most projected cap space in 2026, and a top-10 stockpile of draft picks.
That’s the kind of situation where a coach like Saleh could walk in and build something sustainable. If Zac Taylor’s seat heats up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Saleh’s name surface there.
And don’t sleep on potential openings within the division. The Cardinals, for instance, are a team to watch.
Jonathan Gannon hasn’t exactly solidified his status in Arizona, and the franchise could be ready to hit the reset button at both head coach and quarterback. With $39.2 million in cap space next season and the sixth-most draft capital in 2026, Arizona could offer a clean slate and the tools to rebuild fast.
Then there’s Cleveland. If the Browns end up with the No. 1 pick, they’ll have the chance to reset their quarterback situation and build around a promising rookie class. Add in a potential franchise passer like Dante Moore or Fernando Mendoza, and suddenly the Browns don’t look like a rebuilding job-they look like a team on the verge.
For now, Saleh’s focus remains on the task at hand in San Francisco. But don’t be surprised if his phone starts ringing once the regular season wraps. He’s earned another shot-and this time, he’s going to be selective.