Current, former 49ers react to Jets hiring Robert Saleh as head coach

After a two-day interview this week, now-former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh landed the head-coaching job with the New York Jets. It wasn't too long ago that many expected Saleh to be the frontrunner for the Detroit Lions vacancy. Filling that role didn't happen, but there was no doubt that Saleh was likely on his way out of San Francisco.

"I don't know what's wrong with people if they don't hire him," head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month. "I mean, he's as good as you can get, and he knows more about football, all three phases, and he's going to hire the best staff, knows about players, he knows what they're talking about, who doesn't know what they're talking about, and he also knows how to deal with people."

A few 49ers players reacted on Twitter to the news of the Jets hiring Saleh. One is veteran cornerback Richard Sherman, who is scheduled to become a free agent and has been a vocal advocate for Saleh landing a head-coaching job. He obviously approves of the hiring.

Sherman added the following via a text to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

Kicker Robbie Gould and defensive lineman Ronald Blair also believe the Jets made a fantastic choice.

Even retired 49ers tackle Joe Staley weighed in on the hiring and expects things to turn around in New York.

General manager John Lynch also commented on the hiring, again, via a text to Breer.

Saleh spent four seasons with San Francisco and is expected to take 49ers passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur with him to be his offensive coordinator. Linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans will reportedly be promoted to replace Saleh as San Francisco's defensive coordinator, a move that garnered praise from Houston Texans star pass rusher J.J. Watt.

The silver lining for the 49ers is that Saleh's hiring means the team will receive third-round compensatory picks in each of the next two drafts as part of the NFL's minority-hiring program.