Robert Saleh’s rise from 49ers defensive coordinator to head coach of the New York Jets was a testament to his hard work and dedication. However, his recent firing left many in disbelief, including 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
Shanahan, speaking to reporters, expressed his shock at the news, saying, “I sent him a text, but I haven’t gotten to talk to him. And yeah, I was pretty shocked. That stuff throws you off, especially when they’re competing for first in the division this week and I think they’re up there on defense and have got a pretty good team and a chance to have a hell of a year. So that was pretty surprising.”
The Jets’ defense had been performing well under Saleh’s leadership, but the offense struggled. This was not Saleh’s area of expertise, as he was focused on the defensive side of the ball. He was also in the process of taking over more authority from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
The decision to fire Saleh left many scratching their heads, especially considering the progress the team had made. The Jets will now turn to Jeff Ulbrich to lead the defense, but it won’t be an easy task. The defense will miss Saleh’s leadership, and Ulbrich will have to juggle coaching responsibilities as well.
Despite reports that Saleh won’t coach elsewhere this year, he remains a candidate to return to the 49ers as defensive coordinator in the future. Shanahan may consider bringing Saleh back in 2025 if he feels a change is needed at that position.
The future remains uncertain for Saleh, but one thing is for sure – his impact on the Jets and the 49ers will not be forgotten. As the football world awaits his next move, his legacy continues to grow.
