The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly eager to reunite with former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Speaking on The 49ers +/- Podcast with Tim Kawakami, insider Matt Barrows shared insight into the team's approach to their coordinator vacancies, highlighting how much the 49ers want Saleh back as their defensive coordinator.
Saleh served in that role for San Francisco from 2017 to 2020, playing a pivotal role in the 49ers' journey to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2019 season.
"I think it's become obvious now that it's Saleh [for defensive coordinator]," Barrows said. "Saleh or bust, really, because they haven't done much work with anybody else to this point."
The 49ers have already interviewed Saleh for the defensive coordinator position, but head coach Kyle Shanahan is in a holding pattern while Saleh explores other opportunities. Saleh is reportedly interviewing for several head coaching positions across the NFL.
The only other confirmed interview for the 49ers' defensive coordinator position has been with Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend. Shanahan has also stated that assistant head coach Brandon Staley will be considered for the role.
"I've heard that they've already told Saleh, 'We will make you the highest-paid defensive coordinator in all the land if you sign with us,'" Barrows continued. "And so now, it's just a matter of waiting for Saleh, and he's getting all sorts of head coaching attention.
"He's already interviewed with the Jaguars. He's got the Raiders coming up on Friday. I'm told he's got the Cowboys coming up on Saturday."
There is also a possibility that other teams may also offer Saleh their defensive coordinator positions, potentially complicating matters for the 49ers if Saleh doesn't land a head coaching role.
"I don't know what Saleh would pick if he had multiple defensive coordinator positions," Barrows said. "I know that he's got a strong relationship with Kyle Shanahan. And, like I said, I know that the 49ers have made a strong offer. It's supposed to be top of the market. Will it be at the end of this cycle? I don't know. But the point was that it was supposed to be a strong offer to signal to him that we really want you back here."
Sorensen the front-runner for special teams coordinator?
Barrows also shared an interesting update regarding the 49ers' special teams coordinator vacancy. He states that Nick Sorensen, the team's former defensive coordinator who was recently relieved of those duties, is the front-runner for the special teams role.
"They want to bring him back," Barrows said.
The 49ers have also interviewed Lions assistant special teams coordinator Jett Modkins, Denver Broncos assistant special teams coordinator Chris Banjo, and former Carolina Panthers interim head coach and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor for the vacancy.
H/t to TheSFNiners for the find.
You can listen to the entire conversation between Barrows and Kawakami below.