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6d ago

Robert Saleh Restores 49ers Defense, Fuels 2026 Head-Coach Talk

Team insiders increasingly expect him to draw head-coach offers in 2026.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh of the San Francisco 49ers enters the field prior to an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif.
Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh confers with linebacker Tatum Bethune during last Sunday’s 20-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium.
Robert Saleh had three head-coaching interviews in the offseason, with the Raiders, Jaguars and Cowboys, before returning to the 49ers as defensive coordinator.
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Overview

  • San Francisco is 5-2 with Saleh’s defense allowing under 20 points per game after yielding 25.4 a year ago.
  • The unit has surged despite season-ending losses of Fred Warner and Nick Bosa and a string of other injuries.
  • Asked about his future this week, Saleh said his endgame is to find a win on Sunday and move forward from there.
  • Saleh interviewed with the Raiders, Jaguars and Cowboys last offseason after a brief consulting stint with the Packers before returning to the 49ers.
  • Media and team insiders, including NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, see him as a leading 2026 head-coach candidate, and the 49ers have a contingency plan that involves assistant head coach of defense Gus Bradley.