Saleh’s run in New York might have been a failure, but his defenses were still excellent, ranking in the top 5 in yards allowed in 2022 and 2023. His defenses in San Francisco and New York were characterized by frenzied pressure and players flying all over the field. That energy is something the Niners are looking to inject back into the D.
“He’s really good at his job, and I’m really excited that we somehow convinced him to be our defensive coordinator again,” Kittle said. “He knows what he’s talking about, he’s inspiring, he gets the boys fired up, and he just happens to also be really, really smart. So, I’m pumped to have him back in the building, just hanging out with him a little bit, talking about stuff. You can just tell he’s ready to roll this year, and he’s gonna get the boys fired up.”
The Niners’ offseason turnover has primarily affected the defense, with youngsters expected to step into key roles immediately. Rookie defensive linemen Alfred Collins and Mykel Williams are expected to start, linebacker Nick Martin could earn a big role, as could first-year corner Upton Stout. Saleh’s presence in San Francisco could help bridge the gap with the young players and get the Niners back to playing the type of defense we’d become accustomed to.