It increasingly appears as if Kyle Shanahan’s first defensive coordinator will be his next defensive coordinator: The San Francisco 49ers and Robert Saleh are closing in on a reunion. The 49ers are reportedly expected to hire Saleh to oversee a defense he helped build into one of the NFL’s best before it slipped well below its lofty standard during their 6-11 season in 2024.

Robert Saleh and the San Francisco 49ers are reportedly reuniting. Saleh is expected to be named the 49ers defensive coordinator, The Athletic reports. He previously oversaw San Francisco's defense from 2017–20 until becoming the head coach of the New York Jets.

It seems the 49ers will land their top choice for defensive coordinator after all. Robert Saleh is expected to return to the 49ers as their defensive coordinator if he doesn't become a head coach according to The Athletic and NBC Sports Bay Area.

Robert Saleh will return to the San Francisco 49ers. The former New York Jets head coach has found his next landing spot and it’s a very familiar one. Saleh will rejoin the 49ers’ coaching staff as their defensive coordinator,

Robert Saleh has already had several head coaching interviews during this NFL hiring cycle. Back in October, Saleh was fired by the New York Jets after a 2-3 start, ending his three-plus year tenure with the team.