The 49ers decided to bring former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh back to the franchise before the 2025 NFL season, a move the fanbase warmly embraced.
Saleh’s three-and-a-half year tenure coaching the New York Jets came to an end in October 2024; his lack of head coaching offers led him to return to the team he revitalized through its defense. He previously held the position as 49ers defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, and his “all gas, no brakes” mentality despite numerous injuries is partly what made San Francisco’s defense so lethal.
He mentioned the fresh anticipation teams feel heading into a new NFL season on Josina Anderson’s “The Exhibit Show” on Thursday.
“I’ve always joked around that the offseason is the best part of the season, everyone is undefeated going into the Super Bowl,” he shared. “Everyone loves you, and then the season happens.”
When asked about a specific moment he wishes to relive thus far, he referred to San Francisco’s 17-13 win at Lumen Field.
“That Week 1 win over in Seattle, it’s hard to win in Seattle in Week 1, new coordinator, new quarterback,” Saleh said.
Saleh’s defense came up big in Week 1, with their coverage limiting what the Seahawks could do in both pass and run game, holding Seattle to just 230 total yards of offense. It was ultimately Nick Bosa’s sack that put the final nail in the coffin for Seattle with 40 seconds left in the 4th quarter.
“Being immersed in the entire game, that was a cool moment to win that football game,” Saleh concluded.
After losing Bosa to a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3, it’s no secret that staying healthy has been the 49ers’ weakness, yet general manager John Lynch shared his hopeful outlook regarding Fred Warner during a recent interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. The bye week will give Saleh’s defensive weapons more time for recovery, hopefully preventing further injury.
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