{"id":843326,"date":"2026-03-30T18:00:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T18:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/843326\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T18:00:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T18:00:21","slug":"49ers-hc-kyle-shanahan-takes-shot-at-jets-over-robert-saleh-firing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/843326\/","title":{"rendered":"49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Takes Shot at Jets Over Robert Saleh Firing"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Robert\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan took aim at the Jets for their decision to fire Robert Saleh in 2024<\/p>\n

The San Francisco 49ers<\/a> managed to put together a successful 2025 campaign, even though a rash of injuries very nearly prevented them from doing so. A big reason for the team\u2019s success was their coaching staff, which was led by head coach Kyle Shanahan<\/a>. However, it\u2019s also clear that the return of Robert Saleh<\/a> as the team\u2019s defensive coordinator was a big help.<\/p>\n

After a failed stint as the New York Jets<\/a> head coach, Saleh returned to San Fran to work as his old friend Shanahan\u2019s defensive coordinator. This offseason, Saleh was hired by the Tennessee Titans<\/a> to be their new head coach, forcing Shanahan to find a proper replacement. While Shanahan is sad to have lost Saleh, it\u2019s clear he believes his former protege is head-coach material, as he took a shot at the Jets when discussing Saleh\u2019s departure this offseason.<\/p>\n

Kyle Shanahan Bashes Jets for Robert Saleh Decision<\/p>\n

Saleh initially worked as a member of Shanahan\u2019s staff from 2017 to 2020, with his work as the team\u2019s defensive coordinator helping him earn consideration for head coach openings across the league. The Jets eventually ended up hiring him in 2021, but his stint with the team did not go according to plan.<\/p>\n

While Saleh helped New York\u2019s defense become a top-tier unit, its offense couldn\u2019t get out of its own way. The decision to bring Aaron Rodgers to town blew up in 2023 when he tore his Achilles on his fourth snap of the season, and when he returned in 2024, the offense struggled to get back on track, with Saleh getting fired just five games into the year.<\/p>\n

After just one year with the 49ers defense, though, Saleh proved that his poor stint with the Jets was more of a reflection of the organization, rather than his own coaching woes. The Titans quickly hired him, and Shanahan believes that things will go better for Saleh this time around, as he bashed the Jets for deciding to abruptly move on from him<\/a> in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cRobert deserves to be a head coach,\u201d Shanahan said when speaking to reporters at the league meetings on Monday. \u201cHe is one of the better coaches in this league. I thought he got a raw deal the first time. He\u2019s in a good situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle Shanahan Hoping 49ers\u2019 Defense Doesn\u2019t Regress Without Robert Saleh\"Robert<\/p>\n

Getty49ers\u2019 head coach Kyle Shanahan took aim at the Jets for their decision to fire Robert Saleh in 2024<\/p>\n

Saleh\u2019s departure will hurt, but given how San Fran\u2019s defense performed in 2025, it was likely something that Shanahan was expecting to happen this offseason. As a result, he quickly hired another one of his old friends, Raheem Morris, to come in and be his new defensive coordinator, as this duo previously worked together during their shared time with the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Titans will give Saleh an opportunity to build a team around last year\u2019s No. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward, but it certainly won\u2019t be easy. However, given all that he accomplished last year with San Fran, Saleh seemed to prove that if he\u2019s given the tools needed to succeed, he can build a winner. Shanahan will surely be focused on his own team, but you can bet he will also be rooting for Saleh to enjoy a prosperous first season with Tennessee.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOwen Crisafulli<\/a> Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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