Could the San Francisco 49ers bolster their defense around new coordinator Robert Saleh thanks to his New York Jets ties?

Robert Saleh is expected to return to the 49ers as their defensive coordinator if he doesn't become a head coach according to The Athletic and NBC Sports Bay Area.

Robert Saleh is set to take one of his former jobs, as he will become the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator, The Athletic reported on Thursday. Saleh served as the New York Jets' head coach for three-plus seasons before he was fired in October after the team started 2-3.

Robert Saleh is heading back to San Francisco. Saleh and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a contract for him to return as the team's

Saleh had interviewed for three head coaching positions but had committed to head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch that, should be not get another head coaching job, he would return to San Francisco as defensive coordinator,

The San Francisco 49ers' prospects on defense for the 2025 season already seem a fair bit brighter following the return of Robert Saleh of coordinator, but it will take several reinforcements on the personnel side for this group to return to the ranks of the best in the NFL next season.

Following his dismissal as head coach of the New York Jets, Robert Saleh has wasted no time finding his next opportunity in the NFL. The former Jets leader has returned to the San Francisco 49ers, where he previously thrived as defensive coordinator.