Despite a depleted roster, Saleh's defense shines. This exceptional coaching could position him for the perfect head coaching role, potentially back in San Francisco.
Robert Saleh was never going to be a secret for long.
The moment the San Francisco 49ers brought him back as defensive coordinator, the clock started ticking again. Head coaching interviews were inevitable. And as this season has unfolded, with Saleh holding together a defense built largely on duct tape and belief, his value has only risen.
By the end of this cycle, Saleh will have interviewed with at least five teams. That number could grow. For a coach who has already worn a headset as a head coach, this isn’t about breaking into the club anymore. It’s about choosing the right situation.
And that matters because it’s part of why there’s legitimate reason to believe Saleh could still be in San Francisco in 2026.
A Defense That Shouldn’t Be Standing But Is
If there were ever a season to boost a coordinator’s résumé, this would be it.
The 49ers lost Nick Bosa in Week 3. Fred Warner followed soon after. Tatum Bethune, Nick Martin, Luke Gifford are all gone. By the time the postseason arrived, San Francisco was relying on practice squad linebackers, rookies forced into starting roles, and a weekly reshuffling of personnel.
And yet, Saleh’s unit has not folded.
In the span of two weeks, the 49ers held the Seahawks and Eagles, two playoff teams, to a combined 32 points. Against Philadelphia, they allowed just six points in the second half.
That isn’t talent. That’s coaching.
Saleh has simplified responsibilities, leaned into coverage discipline, and resisted the temptation to over-blitz or overthink matchups. The result has been a defense that bends but doesn’t break. And that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
This Time, Saleh Can Be Selective
Saleh’s first head coaching opportunity with the Jets was a gamble. One most coaches would take. This time is different.
There is a real understanding around the league that coordinators don’t often get a third chance if the second one fails. Saleh doesn’t need a job, he needs the right job.
That’s why interviews with teams like Arizona or Tennessee feel more procedural than predictive. Those are rebuilds layered on top of rebuilds, with quarterback uncertainty and roster holes that won’t be patched overnight.
At this stage of his career, Saleh can afford to wait for stability, alignment, and a clear organizational plan.
Why San Francisco Still Makes Sense
There’s also something to be said for timing.
Saleh returned to San Francisco knowing exactly what he was walking into: a roster in transition, young defensive pieces needing development, and a culture he helped build during his first stint. What he may not have anticipated was just how much he’d be asked to adapt on the fly.
But that adversity may be the very reason staying one more year is appealing.
A healthier defense in 2026 could position Saleh to coach his most complete unit yet.
There’s also the relationship factor. Kyle Shanahan trusts Saleh. The players trust Saleh. And in a league where coaching turnover is constant, that continuity carries weight.
Waiting one more year doesn’t hurt Saleh’s stock. If anything, it may elevate it.
The League Will Call But the Fit Has to Be Right
Rumors will continue. The Raiders make sense on paper. So do other franchises holding high draft picks and cap flexibility. Saleh’s ties to the Shanahan-McVay coaching tree ensure he’d have no trouble assembling a staff, especially on offense.
But none of those opportunities disappear if Saleh stays put.
If anything, another season of defensive overachievement could solidify him as one of the safest, most prepared head-coaching hires in the league.
One More Year Doesn’t Feel Like a Long Shot
Nothing is guaranteed. All it takes is one owner, one interview, one vision that aligns perfectly.
But as of now, it feels just as plausible that Robert Saleh looks at the landscape, looks at what he’s building in San Francisco, and decides there’s unfinished business. And for some reason that possibility doesn’t feel like wishful thinking.