Robert Saleh is back in San Francisco, and he’s doing what he does best-coaching up a defense that, on paper, should be reeling. Losing both Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the season would be a gut punch for any unit, let alone one that built its identity around those two stars. But Saleh has helped the 49ers recalibrate, and somehow, they’re still playing fast, physical, and smart on that side of the ball.
After a rocky stint as the Jets’ head coach, Saleh returned to the Bay Area earlier this year, slipping right back into his old role as Kyle Shanahan’s defensive coordinator. And it’s clear he’s not just back to fill a seat-he’s reenergized and reengaged with the game in a way that has the Niners’ defense punching above its weight.
In a recent interview with Josina Anderson on The Exhibit, Saleh didn’t shy away from reflecting on his time in New York. When asked what he’d do differently if given another shot at being a head coach, he was candid: “There’s a lot of things I’d do differently. One of the biggest things I’m going to do is I’m going to call.”
That might sound like a small tweak, but it speaks volumes. During his time with the Jets, Saleh chose not to handle play-calling duties, instead handing them off to then-offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. It was a collaborative approach, but one that, in hindsight, may have kept Saleh a step removed from the pulse of the game.
“When you’re immersed in the game as a play-caller, it brings out the emotion in me and gets me excited and connected to all the players,” Saleh said. “It keeps me connected to the game a little bit more.”
That connection is showing up on Sundays. Even without their defensive cornerstones, the 49ers are finding ways to pressure quarterbacks, limit explosive plays, and stay disciplined in coverage.
Saleh’s fingerprints are all over it. His energy, his adaptability, and his ability to simplify complex schemes for his players have been critical in keeping this defense afloat.
It’s no surprise, then, that 49ers fans have pointed to Saleh’s return as one of the biggest blessings of the season. And head coach Kyle Shanahan has acknowledged that Saleh’s presence has influenced his own decision-making, especially in tight spots-like San Francisco’s 26-8 win over Cleveland in Week 13, where defensive adjustments helped turn the tide.
Now, here’s where things get interesting: Saleh’s name is already starting to circulate in coaching circles again. With multiple teams likely to be in the market for a new head coach this offseason, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him back in the interview chair sooner rather than later. But for now, his focus is locked in on helping this battered 49ers defense hold the line as the playoffs approach.
Whether it’s a one-year reunion or the start of a longer second chapter in San Francisco, Saleh’s impact is undeniable. He’s taken a unit that could’ve crumbled and turned it into one that still plays with purpose-and that’s the mark of a coach who never really lost his fastball.