With the San Francisco 49ers sitting at 5-8, it's probably safe to start looking forward toward the offseason. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh remains the betting favorite to land the head-coaching job with the Detroit Lions. If that doesn't happen, he will likely be in the conversation for other openings. Saleh's departure may not be the only turnover on the 49ers coaching staff. The coordinator is expected to eye some of the 49ers' assistants to take with him.
Maybe those discussions between Saleh and head coach Kyle Shanahan have already started. At least, that's what beat writer Matt Barrows is hearing.
"I've heard there already have been discussions between Saleh and Shanahan — horse-trading, if you will — about which offensive coaches Saleh might take with him," wrote Barrows in a recent mailbag feature for The Athletic.
The odds are that the options include an offensive coordinator. Run-game coordinator Mike McDaniel and passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur seem like potential candidates. With a plethora of San Francisco's players scheduled to become free agents, a coaching staff built around Saleh and either McDaniel or LaFleur could make Detroit a tempting destination. However, it is also worth noting that the Lions are projected to have even less salary-cap space than the 49ers.
Barrows' best guess (stressing the word "guess") on which assistant might join Saleh in Detroit? That would be LaFleur, since Saleh has a "long-time relationship" with the LaFleur family. He and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur remain close friends.
There could also be some defensive assistants willing to jump from the 49ers to the Lions if it means a promotion.
It's just yet another interesting tidbit from Barrows.