49ers DC Robert Saleh is one of five early candidates for the Cardinals to be their next head coach.
Candidates have begun to emerge as targets for the Arizona Cardinals for their head coaching vacancy. They fired Jonathan Gannon after going 3-14 in 2025 and 15-36 in three seasons.
The Cardinals are looking within the division. According to SI.com’s Albert Breer, they have put in a request to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Saleh returned as the DC for the Niners in 2025. He was their DC from 2017-2020 before he was hired as head coach of the New York Jets, where he went 20-36 in three-plus seasons. He was fired after five games in 2024.
The Cardinals can’t interview Saleh this week, as the 49ers play in the first round of the playoffs, but they can interview him next week if he is willing.
Over the last nine seasons as a DC and head coach, he has led top-five defenses five times. He is known as a strong leader. He has head coaching experience, although he did not have success in wins and losses.
Who else are candidates?
Along with Saleh, the Cardinals are reportedly currently targeting four others:
Denver Broncos DC Vance JosephSeattle Seahawks OC Klint KubiakMiami Dolphins DC Anthony WeaverNew England Patriots tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Thomas Brown
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