Updated Jan. 19, 2026, 9:26 p.m. PT

The San Francisco 49ers are on the search for a new defensive coordinator for the fourth time in as many seasons.

Robert Saleh is set to be hired as the Tennessee Titans head coach according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Saleh rejoined the 49ers this offseason after being fired as the New York Jets head coach midway through the 2024 campaign. San Francisco, meanwhile, parted with defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen after just one season which led to the vacancy for Saleh to return to the Bay Area for a second stint. The 49ers won’t receive draft pick compensation because Saleh wasn’t with the club for the requisite two or more seasons.

While the 49ers defensive numbers weren’t great in 2025, the job Saleh did coaching a banged up group that was missing its two best players, defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, for most of the year underscored his value to teams as an NFL coach despite the numbers. San Francisco finished 13th in points allowed and 20th in yards allowed while rolling out the NFL’s worst pass rush.

For Saleh the Tennessee job makes a ton of sense. There’s some defensive talent on the roster, and it appears they have their quarterback of the future with 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.

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Saleh got an up-close look at Ward in Week 15 when the Titans visited the 49ers. Ward completed 18-of-29 throws for 170 yards and two touchdowns, but his numbers didn’t reflect some of the high-level talent he showed off in the 49ers’ 37-24 victory.

For the 49ers, their new DC will be their fourth in as many years. DeMeco Ryans exited for the Houston Texans head coaching job after the 2022 season. Steve Wilks lasted only one year before being fired and giving way to Sorensen who only lasted a year. This time it was Saleh’s turn to only last one season, but his exit was on his terms with a slew of head coaching opportunities on the board.

Gus Bradley is an internal candidate the 49ers could turn to if they’re looking for familiarity since he spent this season on their defensive staff. Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is another option the 49ers could seek out if he isn’t hired somewhere as a head coach, or if he doesn’t stay on in Cleveland.

Saleh went 20-36 in three-plus seasons as the Jets head coach. Now he’ll get an opportunity to start anew with a franchise that appears to have its quarterback situation figured out and a baseline of defensive talent that could make for a quick turnaround for the high-level leader and defensive coach.

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