Robert Saleh Interviews for 49ers DC Role Amid Raiders HC Rumors

The San Francisco 49ers are considering bringing back their former defensive coordinator.

The team announced on Thursday that it had completed an interview with Robert Saleh for their vacant defensive coordinator position. Saleh, who led the Niners defense from 2017 to 2020, was fired by the New York Jets in October after a 2-3 start.

The 49ers relieved Nick Sorensen from his defensive coordinator duties earlier this week, though the team hopes to keep him on staff in some capacity. Amid a 6-11 season for San Francisco, its defense lacked in several areas while dealing with a handful of key injuries.

According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows and Cale Clinton, the 49ers have also interviewed Detroit Lions defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend for their defensive coordinator opening.

Though Saleh finished 16-23 during his time with New York, strong defenses were a staple of his tenure. The Jets defense finished top five in yards allowed in each of the last three seasons and allowed 20 or fewer points in three of the five games Saleh coached this year.

Saleh, who has almost two decades of experience as a defensive coach in the NFL, helped lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019, though they ultimately came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Saleh now having his first head-coaching experience behind him, re-joining San Francisco's staff could finally give the Niners the fit they need after having four different defensive coordinators over the past four years.

Saleh is getting some head coaching interest, though. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Thursday that Saleh is set to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, adding that Saleh also has an interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars.