Reasons a reunion between Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh with the 49ers this season seems unlikely.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed surprise at the recent firing of his former defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, from his position as head coach of the New York Jets. Saleh’s dismissal reportedly involved being escorted from the facility by security, a situation that left Shanahan taken aback.
“I sent him a text, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet,” Shanahan shared with reporters. “I was pretty shocked. It’s unexpected, especially considering they were in the running for first place in the division and had a strong defense and a promising season ahead.”
While Saleh is currently available, a return to San Francisco’s coaching staff this season seems unlikely. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, he intends to take some time off with his family before gearing up for future coaching opportunities. Saleh also has a guaranteed contract with the Jets through 2025 worth about $5 million per year, meaning any potential earnings from a return to the 49ers would be offset by his existing deal.
However, a reunion with Shanahan could be a possibility after this season. Like Bill Belichick, who often welcomed back former assistants, Shanahan could benefit from Saleh’s fresh perspective, especially given the defense’s inconsistency under new defensive coordinator Nick Sorenson.
Sorenson addressed reporters about his coaching approach, emphasizing that while he doesn’t have regrets, there’s always room for improvement. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining fundamental coaching while adapting strategies to the team’s performance.
After the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, Shanahan replaced Steve Wilks with Sorenson, who was already part of the staff. He also attempted to hire Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets’ now interim head coach, but was unsuccessful. With Brandon Staley as the assistant head coach for defense observing from the booth, bringing Saleh back could provide valuable support as the 49ers aim for a Super Bowl run.
Currently, the 49ers are struggling with a 2-3 record, allowing an average of 21.2 points per game and ranking 12th in the league. Their third down defense is ranked 22nd, and they have experienced late-game collapses in losses to both the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams.
