The San Francisco 49ers' 2025 offseason has been defined by extending key players and reuniting with familiar faces. Calling defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is a stretch in some ways when you consider the veteran's time with the team. However, Saleh has been the head coach of the New York Jets and has worked with the Green Bay Packers from 2021-2024.
Not since the 2020 pandemic season has Saleh been a part of the 49ers defense. The coach was the defensive coordinator from the 2017-2020 season helping guide San Francisco into consistent relevance.
Impressive results gave Saleh the chance to land a head coaching gig for one of the league's most dysfunctional franchises. It is hard to judge the results when you consider just how awful the rosters were Saleh was put in charge of while dealing with the disadvantage of not having a franchise quarterback. This resulted in his firing and spending time with the Packers last season as a consultant. While 49ers fans will never cheer against the respected coach there is no denying this has worked out in the team's favor.
49ers' Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh Is the Steal of the Offseason
The 49ers have struggled to find the right answer at the defensive coordinator position since Saleh's departure. While pointing fingers isn't going to change the results last season it is easy to see why the team made a change. It is hard to remember the last time the franchise was so consistently beaten on the defensive front. Being bullied by opposing teams isn't something that 49ers fans are used to watching from a typically physical group.
Saleh has taken note of this and brought an instant switch to the team's 2025 offseason. While many of the pieces are the same the coordinator is going to change life for that side of the ball. The intensity and physicality the coordinator demands are already setting a tone. No matter how the season plays out it would be shocking not to see this result in drastic defensive improvement.
Bringing back the coordinator is already paying off and proving to be the team's most impactful offseason addition. With this in mind, it is hard not to be excited and increasingly hopeful that last season's struggles were simply a mirage.