<!–>
Robert Saleh is back in a familiar place, as he has rejoined the San Francisco 49ers as the team’s defensive coordinator under head coach Kyle Shanahan, a position he held from 2017-20 before leaving to become the head coach of the New York Jets.
Saleh discussed whether anything in his defense has changed since his first stint in the Bay Area.
“You’re always trying to stay two years ahead of the offense [trends],” Saleh said of his defensive approach at 49ers coordinator availability on Thursday. “When we went to the Jets, there were a lot of different things that we started to do. And, even now, while we have some things from the Jets, there’s stuff that has evolved over the course of the last four years here, and, obviously, with the league that there’s stuff happening. We’ve, over this offseason, a lot of really cool concepts, a lot of really cool things. Some things are the same; some things are the same from the Jets; some things are meshed; some things are coming in that’s new.”
“So, it’s like I said, we’re trying to stay a couple years ahead. A lot of it may seem similar, but there’s a lot of nuance that makes a difference.”
After going a combined 10-22 from 2017-18, the 49ers were the breakout team of the 2019 season, going 13-3, earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC and later winning the NFC. Saleh’s defense was the rock, as they were second in the NFL in total yards surrendered (281.8 per game), tied for fifth in sacks (48) and were eighth in points surrendered (19.4 per game). The following year, San Francisco was fifth in total yards surrendered (314.4 per game) despite being ravaged by injuries on both sides of the ball.
After the Jets finished last in total yards and points surrendered in Saleh’s first season as head coach (2021), they finished fourth in both defensive categories in 2022 and third in total yards surrendered in 2023. Saleh was fired after the team’s 2-3 start to the 2024 season and later joined the Green Bay Packers as an offensive consultant under head coach Matt LaFleur. New York went 20-36 under Saleh.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
Brock Purdy and 49ers are reportedly ‘not close’ to a new deal
Saleh marks San Francisco’s fourth defensive coordinator change since his departure following the 2020 season: DeMeco Ryans (2021-22), Steve Wilks (2023), Nick Sorensen (2024) and Saleh (2025).
Last season, the 49ers were 29th in points surrendered (25.6 per game), 18th in rushing yards surrendered (124.6 per game), eighth in total yards surrendered (317.4 per game) and fifth in passing yards surrendered (192.8 per game).
This offseason, San Francisco released linebacker Leonard Floyd and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins, while losing safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw to free agency. It added defensive backs Richie Grant, Tre Brown and Jason Pinnock, among others. The 49ers then went defense with each of their first five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, beginning with Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams (No. 11), Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins (No. 43) and Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin (No. 75).
San Francisco is coming off a 6-11 season that saw it finish last in the NFC West and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
National Football League
San Francisco 49ers
New York Jets
<!–>
recommended
Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Jamal Murray steps up in Game 3 to give Nuggets 2-1 lead in series vs. Thunder
<!--> Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Michael Porter Jr. bounced back with 21 clutch points, leading the Denver Nuggets past the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime Friday night for a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.-->Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon had 22 points for the Nuggets, who led by no more than two points in regulation but went on an 11-2 run in the extra period.Jokic went 8 for 25 from the field and missed all 10 of his 3-pointers but started the overtime flourish with a finger-roll layup and the Nuggets never trailed again.The other NBA MVP front-runner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also had a tough night, missing 15 of 22 shots, going 1 for 6 from deep and finishing with 18 points. Jalen Williams led OKC with 32 points […]
Poslední derby sezony! Pokud Sparta v Edenu neuspěje, může se bát i o čtvrté místo
Snový vstup do nadstavby. Jako první z účastníků skupiny o titul půjde do boje pátý Jablonec, který hostí šestou Olomouc. Domácí ztrácejí na čtvrtou Spartu pět bodů, před týdnem ji totiž přehráli na Letné a vítězstvím 3:1 dost možná zamotali situaci v boji o bramborovou příčku. Sigma už v lize nemá oč bojovat, se stoprocentní jistotou skončí šestá. Vrcholem její povedené sezony bude až středeční finále MOL Cupu, v němž hostí již zmíněnou Spartu.Druhý mač elitního souboru týmů proti sobě svede první Slavii a čtvrtou Spartu. Domácí už si dvě kola zpátky zajistili zisk mistrovského titulu výhrou 5:0 v Olomouci, minulý víkend v senzačním utkání porazili Plzeň 4:3. Před vlastními fanoušky zatím neztratili v lize ani bod. A sérii by rádi natáhli i proti tradičnímu rivalovi, jemuž tak mohou značně zkomplikovat snahu o udržení čtvrtého místa. Sparta, šampion předchozích dvou sezon, se naopak potřebuje probrat. V nadstavbě zatím nezískala ani bod, po dvou bídných výkonech v Plzni a s Jabloncem […]
2025 NBA playoff bracket, schedule, scores, results: Nuggets take 2-1 lead over OKC with epic OT win
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an […]
2025 NBA playoff bracket, schedule, scores, results: Nuggets take 2-1 lead over OKC with epic OT win
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an […]
2025 NBA playoffs schedule: Games today, times, complete bracket for second-round series
Getty Images The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an upset-heavy second […]
2025 NBA playoffs schedule: Games today, times, complete bracket for second-round series
Getty Images The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an upset-heavy second […]
Related
Jamal Murray steps up in Game 3 to give Nuggets 2-1 lead in series vs. Thunder
<!--> Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Michael Porter Jr. bounced back with 21 clutch points, leading the Denver Nuggets past the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime Friday night for a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.-->Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon had 22 points for the Nuggets, who led by no more than two points in regulation but went on an 11-2 run in the extra period.Jokic went 8 for 25 from the field and missed all 10 of his 3-pointers but started the overtime flourish with a finger-roll layup and the Nuggets never trailed again.The other NBA MVP front-runner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also had a tough night, missing 15 of 22 shots, going 1 for 6 from deep and finishing with 18 points. Jalen Williams led OKC with 32 points […]
Poslední derby sezony! Pokud Sparta v Edenu neuspěje, může se bát i o čtvrté místo
Snový vstup do nadstavby. Jako první z účastníků skupiny o titul půjde do boje pátý Jablonec, který hostí šestou Olomouc. Domácí ztrácejí na čtvrtou Spartu pět bodů, před týdnem ji totiž přehráli na Letné a vítězstvím 3:1 dost možná zamotali situaci v boji o bramborovou příčku. Sigma už v lize nemá oč bojovat, se stoprocentní jistotou skončí šestá. Vrcholem její povedené sezony bude až středeční finále MOL Cupu, v němž hostí již zmíněnou Spartu.Druhý mač elitního souboru týmů proti sobě svede první Slavii a čtvrtou Spartu. Domácí už si dvě kola zpátky zajistili zisk mistrovského titulu výhrou 5:0 v Olomouci, minulý víkend v senzačním utkání porazili Plzeň 4:3. Před vlastními fanoušky zatím neztratili v lize ani bod. A sérii by rádi natáhli i proti tradičnímu rivalovi, jemuž tak mohou značně zkomplikovat snahu o udržení čtvrtého místa. Sparta, šampion předchozích dvou sezon, se naopak potřebuje probrat. V nadstavbě zatím nezískala ani bod, po dvou bídných výkonech v Plzni a s Jabloncem […]
2025 NBA playoff bracket, schedule, scores, results: Nuggets take 2-1 lead over OKC with epic OT win
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an […]
2025 NBA playoff bracket, schedule, scores, results: Nuggets take 2-1 lead over OKC with epic OT win
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an […]
2025 NBA playoffs schedule: Games today, times, complete bracket for second-round series
Getty Images The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an upset-heavy second […]
2025 NBA playoffs schedule: Games today, times, complete bracket for second-round series
Getty Images The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs continued on Friday night, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets emerging victorious in a pair of Game 3s. It was the first win of the series for the top-seeded Cavs, who now trail the Indiana Pacers, 2-1. In the night cap, the Nuggets were able to pull out an overtime thriller to take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder, who are the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs after finishing with the league's best record.The action keeps on rolling on Saturday, with the New York Knicks trying to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the 1-1 series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.It's been an upset-heavy second […]
Be the first to leave a comment