Robert Saleh has been a popular name mentioned as a potential candidate to succeed Aaron Glenn as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. The former New York Jets head coach is a Detroit native who was a finalist for becoming the Lions’ head coach when the team hired Dan Campbell.
Based on everything coming out of San Francisco, cross Saleh’s name off the Lions list. He has already told the San Francisco 49ers that he will be their defensive coordinator in 2025 unless he lands a head coaching job elsewhere. Saleh was the DC for the Niners prior to landing the Jets job, from which he was fired midseason last fall.
Robert Saleh is in line to be 49ers defensive coordinator, source says, unless he ends up with head-coaching position. If he is a defensive coordinator this season, it’ll be with the 49ers, he told the team.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 24, 2025
Saleh was also in consideration to become the next head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Cohen filled that position on Thursday.
For more on Saleh and his pending return to San Francisco, check out Niners Wire.