The 49ers believe they hit the gold for the second time with the return of defensive coordinator Robert Sale.
General Manager John Lynch praised the former Jets coach on Wednesday for the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, noting that “the experiences he experienced” will bring about an even stronger reunion as San Francisco aims to turn the page in the lost 6-11 season.
“It's great to get Saleh back. To be honest, it felt like he never left,” Lynch said. He told reporters. “When you work with them like us, you become very close to people. Saleh brought a lot when he was here. I think he's gotten even better now with the experiences he's experienced. And it's a welcome sight to have him back, the energy he brings, the expertise he brings, the leadership he brings.”
Saleh's first stint with the Niners began in 2017 as the team's defensive coordinator.
He became his first head coach in 2021 when he was hired to succeed the Jets Adam Gas.
Saleh's days in New York were turbulent to say the least. The Jets were 4-13 at the helm with then-quarterback Zach Wilson.
Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, wasn't that good in his second year, so he was benched before returning to action later in the season.
The Jets threw Hale Mary in 2023 by buying Aaron Rodgers in 2023 by burning Super Bowl desires well before the start of the season.
These dreams continued to play just four times in the season when Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in September 2023.
The 41-year-old Rodgers was cleared to play in 2024, but the Jets descended on a bumpy 2-3 start, bringing Sale's firing in early October.
He finished his time in New York with a 20-36 record.
Before rejoining the 49ers, Saleh, 46, worked as an offensive consultant for the Packers. He also interviewed Cowboys, Jaguars and Raiders about this head coaching cycle.
This was an evolving offseason for the 49ers, with the team fired first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen last month.
The team parted ways with predecessor Steve Wilkes after losing to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 2024. Wilkes is currently the Jets defensive coordinator under new head coach Aaron Glenn.
