As the NFL coaching carousel starts to spin, one name that could quietly gain serious momentum is Robert Saleh - and if you've been watching what he's doing with the San Francisco 49ers’ defense, it’s easy to see why.
After a rocky run as head coach of the New York Jets, Saleh didn’t need much time to land on his feet. He returned to his roots as a defensive coordinator, this time with a 49ers team that’s been banged up but still delivering on defense. Despite a laundry list of injuries, San Francisco is sitting at 9-4 and riding a three-game win streak - and a big reason for that is the way Saleh has this defense playing.
They're giving up just 20.7 points per game, good for eighth in the league. That’s no small feat when you consider how thin they've been at times due to injuries. But Saleh has managed to keep the unit aggressive, disciplined, and opportunistic - exactly what you want from a playoff-caliber defense in December.
What stands out is how Saleh has adapted. His time with the Jets - a 20-36 record over three seasons - didn’t go the way anyone hoped.
But context matters. That roster lacked depth, and the franchise was in a rebuild mode from the ground up.
Now, with more talent in San Francisco, Saleh is showing what he can do when the pieces fit. He’s not just managing a defense - he’s helping shape a winning culture.
According to league insiders, Saleh is still hungry for another shot at a head coaching role. And with some high-profile vacancies already open - including the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans - he could be a name to watch as interviews start to roll out.
He’s got the experience, the leadership chops, and now, a fresh reminder of what he can do when he’s in the right environment. For teams looking to reset their culture and bring in a proven defensive mind who’s learned from past challenges, Saleh might just be the right man at the right time.