Robert Saleh appears to be one of the favorites to land the Jaguars' head-coaching job, which would spoil the 49ers' hope of reuniting with him.
Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh appears willing to accept the San Francisco 49ers' offer to return as defensive coordinator under head coach Kyle Shanahan in 2025.
First, though, Saleh would like to see how his rounds of head-coaching interviews go before accepting a lesser role with his prior employer.
Saleh's interview rounds are with the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and another previous employer, the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as an assistant prior to joining Shanahan's staff in 2017.
Already, there's a buzz the Jags would welcome him back, as owner Shad Khan apparently once felt Saleh was the "one who got away," as far as coaches go.
That said, Khan opted not to part ways with his general manager, Trent Baalke, who has zero fans in the Bay Area after running the Niners into the ground prior to Shanahan's arrival. Other reports stated that decision is a turn-off to potential coaching candidates who'd otherwise be interested in Jacksonville's vacancy. Baalke does carry a reputation for clashing with head coaches, something San Francisco fans recall well.
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, though, the Jaguars hiring Saleh might be the preferred route Khan takes.
Albert Breer lists Robert Saleh as one of 2 favorites for Jaguars' head-coaching gig
In a mailbag, Breer responded to a question about favorites for the Jags' opening, and the SI insider listed both Saleh and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
However, it's what Breer said about a would-be shakeup within Jacksonville's front office, should Johnson get the job, that should concern San Francisco's interests to lure Saleh back:
"I think Shad Khan will hire a coach, and then map things out from there. If it’s Ben Johnson, I would guess that Trent Baalke is gone. If it’s Robert Saleh, maybe Baalke winds up staying.
And, I’d probably call those two favorites. I know the Jacksonville Jaguars like both. "
Sure, Khan could dismiss Baalke if Johnson is the choice and the latter all but demands it.
However, Khan has stood by Baalke on multiple occasions, most notably this offseason already amid firing head coach Doug Pederson. Not parting ways with Baalke, too, was seen as quite the shocker.
The Jaguars owner could ultimately change his mind, of course. But Baalke has garnered a reputation for surviving coaching purges before, and he appears to have done so again entering 2025.
If that rules Johnson out as a candidate, it likely points to Saleh heading back down to Northern Florida.
And not Northern California.
