Most expect San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to bolt for a head-coaching job this offseason. In fact, we'll probably start hearing a lot of rumors surrounding the assistant's future quickly after the team's finale on Sunday.
Where does that leave head coach Kyle Shanahan? He has likely already started at least considering potential replacements while hoping Saleh stays put.
"As I keep saying, I hope I don't lose Saleh, but we've got a bunch of good coaches on this staff, and we'll decide that here," Shanahan said on Saturday.
There is also the possibility that Shanahan looks outside the organization for a replacement. That probably won't be Vic Fangio, whom Shanahan holds in high esteem. The head coach is expected to return for his third season with the Denver Broncos. Besides, that might have required some alterations to the 49ers defense.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated threw out two other possibilities who have ties to Shanahan — former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn and the Falcons' current interim head coach, Raheem Morris. Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Atlanta before becoming San Francisco's head coach.
"There are some interesting potential coordinator openings across the NFL, and one question is what San Francisco will do if Robert Saleh lands a head coaching job," Breer wrote in his MMQB feature for Sports Illustrated. "I've heard ex-Falcons coach Dan Quinn's name raised for that DC job, should Saleh bolt, and current Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris is another name that can be tied to Kyle Shanahan."
Of course, all of this may just be speculation at this point, and it is unclear if Breer's comments are merely based on potential fit or any inside information.
Saleh has ties to Michigan, and his name continues to be among the popular choices for the Detroit Lions' coaching vacancy. His depleted defense mustered enough to stop Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals defense on Saturday, helping lift the 49ers to a 20-12 win over a division rival with playoff aspirations.
H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.
