Will the San Francisco 49ers be able to retain one of the best defensive minds in football in 2026?
The San Francisco 49ers knew exactly what they were getting when they brought Robert Saleh back into the building last offseason.
What they may not have anticipated was just how quickly his return would reignite league-wide interest in him as a future head coach and how determined they would be to keep him.
Saleh’s second stint as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator has come under some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable.
San Francisco’s defense has been battered by injuries, losing cornerstone players Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and rookie Mykel Williams for the season.
Additional contributors such as Yetur Gross-Matos, Malik Mustapha, and Tatum Bethune have all missed extended time, forcing constant adjustments and untested depth into significant roles.
Still, the results have been respectable, if not impressive.
Despite the attrition, the 49ers rank 18th in the NFL in yards allowed, at 333.6 per game, and sit 11th in points allowed, at 20.9.
Those numbers underscore Saleh’s ability to adapt, coach, and maximize what he has, which continues to make him appealing to teams searching for their next head coach.
General manager John Lynch acknowledged that interest while making it clear the organization isn’t eager to move on.
When asked whether the 49ers could keep Saleh from leaving for another head-coaching job, Lynch struck a balance between honesty and optimism.
“Robert has big aspirations. He always has,” Lynch said. “I think he will be more choosy in terms of not wanting to coach anywhere. He probably wants a really good situation because he has one here and we’re blessed to have Robert, but at some point you have to allow people to go chase their dreams. However we can make it very attractive for him to stay and we plan on doing that.”
Saleh himself has echoed that sentiment. While he hasn’t hidden his desire to eventually reach the top of the profession, he’s also emphasized patience and comfort in his current role.
“Is my desire to get to the top of the profession and hoist the Lombardi one day? Absolutely,” Saleh told ESPN. “Am I in a hurry? No, I love it here.”
That mindset could prove crucial this offseason.
Teams like the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans are expected to be in the market for a head coach, but both situations come with questions.
A return to New York seems unlikely, while Tennessee’s recent pattern of coaching turnover may not align with Saleh’s preference for stability.
For now, the 49ers are betting that a strong organizational foundation, a competitive roster, and a leadership group that values Saleh’s influence will be enough to keep him in red and gold, at least a little longer.