Reports are that Robert Saleh is a lead candidate for the defensive coordinator position
[UPDATE]: Not long after this report came out, news broke that Robert Saleh is returning to the 49ers.
Reunion: After interviewing for three head coaching jobs, Robert Saleh is now officially returning to the #49ers as defensive coordinator, per sources.
Saleh impressed in interviews and now is back in a familiar place, with a chance to become a hot HC candidate again in 2026. pic.twitter.com/Jju2cu1qjj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 25, 2025
The rumor has died.
The Dallas Cowboys interviewed former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh in their search for a Mike McCarthy replacement. He never gained any more traction than that in Dallas as far as the head coach position went, and it was assumed by almost everyone he was headed back to the San Francisco 49ers to be their defensive coordinator once again.
That never became official, and now word is the Cowboys are interested in bringing him to Dallas to be the defensive coordinator.
Robert Saleh is a lead candidate for the DC role in Dallas, but the #Cowboys have to contend with that team in Santa Clara for his services — he and the 49ers having a pre-existing relationship as well.
that’s the latest there. https://t.co/DPOvnTrU0D
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 25, 2025
We all know Patrik Walker is very plugged-in to the happenings at the Star so this isn’t just another crazy rumor, the must be some fire behind the smoke. But, it feels difficult to believe that Saleh would turn down a return to the 49ers to take on the somewhat messy situation currently evolving in the Cowboys coaching search.
We’re not privy to what is going on behind the closed doors, so maybe Jerry Jones and company are doing the right things to tempt him. Securing the services of a defensive coordinator as qualified as Saleh would be a nice get for a team that needs a rebound.
We’ll file this one in the “we’ll believe it when we see it” category.