Robert Saleh Returns to the Bay as 49ers’ Defensive Coordinator
The San Francisco 49ers have brought back Robert Saleh to be their defensive coordinator, the team announced on Friday. Saleh previously held the same position with the 49ers from 2017 to 2020, helping the team reach the Super Bowl in 2019.
Saleh’s Previous Stint with the 49ers
During his first stint with the 49ers, Saleh’s defenses were among the best in the NFL. In his final two seasons with the team, the 49ers were a top-five unit in yards allowed. Saleh also helped develop some of the 49ers’ current defensive stars, including Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Talanoa Hufanga.
Saleh’s Time with the Jets
Saleh left the 49ers to become the head coach of the New York Jets in 2021. However, he was fired after just two seasons, despite leading the Jets to a 9-7 record in 2022. Saleh’s Jets defenses were also among the best in the NFL, finishing in the top four in yards allowed in his last two-plus seasons.
Saleh’s Return to San Francisco
Saleh’s return to the 49ers is a bit of a surprise, as he was considered a leading candidate for several head coaching jobs this offseason. However, he ultimately decided to return to San Francisco, where he will be reunited with Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ head coach.
The 49ers are hoping that Saleh can help them return to their previous defensive dominance. The team finished 29th in points allowed in 2022, and they will need to improve significantly on that side of the ball if they want to contend for a Super Bowl in 2023.
Conclusion
Saleh is one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL, and his return to the 49ers is a major coup for the team. He will be tasked with turning around a defense that struggled in 2022, and he will be a key part of the 49ers’ hopes for a Super Bowl run in 2023.
