Pro Football Focus contributor Dalton Wasserman recently analyzed the current head coaching vacancies around the NFL, identifying the best candidates for each job. While former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is reportedly interviewing for roles with teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders, Wasserman did not list him as the best fit for any of the open positions.
For Saleh, missing out on a head coaching opportunity would undoubtedly be disappointing for him and his family. However, it could work in the San Francisco 49ers' favor. Many believe the team is keeping an eye on Saleh's situation, with the expectation that the defensive coordinator role is his for the taking if he decides to return.
The 49ers recently announced that Nick Sorensen will not return as their defensive coordinator for the 2025 season. However, there is still a chance he could remain with the organization in a different capacity.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan may see a potential reunion with Saleh as an opportunity to rekindle the defensive dominance of Saleh's first stint with the team. Saleh served as the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, playing a pivotal role in the team's Super Bowl appearance during the 2019 season.
Although Wasserman doesn't list Saleh as the best fit for a head coaching vacancy, he does mention him in relation to the Jaguars. Wasserman identifies Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady as the best fit for the Jaguars' head coaching role but notes that Saleh could make an excellent defensive coordinator for Brady.
"Pairing him with someone who runs a simpler style of defense like Robert Saleh could pay dividends for an otherwise talented team," Wasserman wrote.
If Saleh doesn't land another head coaching job this year, his return to the 49ers could boost a defense looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign.