Robert Saleh‘s first ride on a coaching carousel since 2021 included extensive interest. The fired Jets HC met with the Cowboys, Jaguars and Raiders about their top coaching positions, and a return to Jacksonville looked like a real possibility for a brief period.
The Jaguars had Saleh — their linebackers coach from 2014-16 — positioned as their second choice, but during the span when Liam Coen had rejected a second interview and was on track to sign a lucrative OC extension with the Buccaneers, Saleh had moved into pole position. The Jags then fired GM Trent Baalke, reigniting Coen’s interest in the job. Saleh drifted out of the picture once Coen, to the dismay of the Bucs, reentered it.
While the 49ers became the likely Saleh landing spot following that development, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner reports the Raiders extended an offer for him to be Pete Carroll‘s DC. This role would have installed Saleh as Carroll’s likely successor, per Wagoner. Saleh worked with Carroll as a Seahawks quality control staffer from 2011-13.
As it stands, the Raiders do not have a true in-house candidate to succeed the oldest head coach in NFL history — though, Carroll has a real chance of being a one-and-done in Las Vegas at this point. Saleh would have provided them that staffer.
The Raiders interviewed Saleh about their HC job Jan. 16 and hired Carroll on Jan. 24. That same day, the 49ers agreed to terms to rehire Saleh as their DC. Five days later, the Raiders determined Patrick Graham would stay on for a fourth season. It certainly appears Graham staying as DC was at best the AFC West franchise’s second choice, as Saleh became a priority for the team. But the four-year Jets leader preferred a return to San Francisco.
It is not known what Saleh is earning as San Francisco’s DC, but Wagoner adds the 49ers informed their now-two-time coordinator during early discussions they would make him among the highest-paid NFL coordinators. Saleh spent four seasons as the 49ers’ DC during his first stint with the team, with the final two vaulting him onto the HC carousel. Saleh, 46, should be expected to garner more HC interest soon. But after Saleh’s Jets ending, it will take a good opportunity to lure him out of the Bay Area again.
“Everyone wants to be at the top of their profession, and they want to succeed at that just to see how far they can go and what they can achieve,” Saleh said, via Wagoner. “Is my desire to get to the top of the profession and hoist the Lombardi one day? Absolutely. Am I in a hurry? No, I love it here. Obviously, the desire is there, but at the same time, it’s not desperation.”
Kyle Shanahan confirmed Saleh was the 49ers’ first choice once they dismissed DC Nick Sorenson, with the longtime HC indicating Saleh informed the team he would return as DC if no head coaching opportunities panned out.
The 49ers have seen Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams suffer season-ending injuries — though, Warner could make an unexpected playoff return — but rank 12th in scoring defense. EPA per play is harder on Saleh’s fifth 49ers unit, slotting the injury-hounded group 23rd, but Saleh’s work certainly has not gone unnoticed. He will be a candidate for a second-chance job soon.
A league source informed Wagoner that Saleh would be a strong candidate, as this is considered a weak pool. Defense-based candidates are set to flood the upcoming carousel, and Saleh joining Broncos DC Vance Joseph with HC experience will be considered a plus. While offense-oriented candidates will remain preferred — especially considering the jobs Coen and Ben Johnson have done this year — Saleh’s second San Francisco stint could well be capped at one season.