Robert Saleh Watch continues—at least in the Bay Area. The San Francisco 49ers are closely monitoring developments as the former New York Jets head coach interviews for head coaching opportunities around the NFL.
Saleh has already spoken with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders and is expected to interview with the Dallas Cowboys about their vacancy.
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If Saleh doesn't secure one of these positions, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan appears ready to welcome him back to Santa Clara. Saleh previously served as the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, and Shanahan reportedly remains eager for a reunion.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer isn't dismissing Saleh's chances of landing the Jaguars job (h/t Peter Panacy of Niner Noise for the find). Saleh previously worked in Jacksonville as a linebackers coach before joining Shanahan's staff in San Francisco, and the organization is reportedly fond of the coach.
Breer recently named Saleh and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as one of the favorites for the Jaguars' head coaching position. Breer describes the situation as "fluid," noting that the ultimate decision will likely rest with Jaguars owner Shad Khan rather than general manager Trent Baalke.
Interestingly, Baalke's future with the team may hinge on Khan's choice of head coach.
"I think Shad Khan will hire a coach, and then map things out from there," Breer explained in a recent mailbag article. "If it's Ben Johnson, I would guess that Trent Baalke is gone. If it's Robert Saleh, maybe Baalke winds up staying."
Breer's comments suggest that Johnson, one of the top candidates in this hiring cycle, might only accept the job if Baalke is no longer involved. On the other hand, Saleh could be more open to working alongside the often-controversial general manager.
"And, I'd probably call those two favorites," Breer added. "I know the Jacksonville Jaguars like both. (There could be other candidates they feel as strongly about.)"
Meanwhile, The Athletic's Matt Barrows reports that the 49ers are making a concerted effort to lure Saleh back to Santa Clara. According to Barrows, the team is willing to offer him a record-setting contract to make him the NFL's highest-paid defensive coordinator.
"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 revealed on a recent podcast. "And so now, it's just a matter of waiting for Saleh, and he's getting all sorts of head coaching attention."