The 49ers and Jets both enjoyed top-five defenses under Saleh. There’s little reason to expect Saleh to stray away from what’s made his defenses elite. There also may not be m

Robert Saleh cannot personally create turnovers, rush the passer or stop the run. His return as the 49ers’ D-coordinator is no guarantee of success.

As Robert Saleh brings in his own assistant coaches, the San Francisco 49ers are forced to say goodbye to part of their current staff.

The San Francisco 49ers might have pulled off the coup of this year’s coaching cycle, bringing back Robert Saleh to coordinate their defense.

Saleh, who was fired in October as the New York Jets head coach five games into his fourth season, generated interest on the head-coaching front and was seen as one of the frontrunners for the Jacksonville Jaguars job. He also interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

Reunion: After interviewing for three head coaching jobs, Robert Saleh is now officially returning to the #49ers as defensive coordinator, per sources. Saleh impressed in interviews and now is back in a familiar place, with a chance to become a hot HC candidate again in 2026. pic.twitter.com/Jju2cu1qjj

The San Francisco 49ers have long established their strong defensive identity, and with Robert Saleh back at the helm

Robert Saleh, who ran the Niners' defense from 2017 to 2020, is heading back to San Francisco for the same role after a three-plus-year stint as Jets coach.

The biggest concern surrounding the San Francisco 49ers' reunion with Robert Saleh is the possibility of him becoming the team's third consecutive one-and-done defensive coordinator.