A couple years ago, the 49ers probably could have had whichever defensive coordinator they wanted. Now that job might not be so desirable.

The San Francisco 49ers appear to have their sites set on former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their No. 1 option in their search for a new defensive coordinator.

The San Francisco 49ers are on the search for a defensive coordinator once again after firing Nick Sorensen following just one season in that role.

Initially, this would have been about how Nick Sorensen should keep his spot as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator despite his shortcomings and the defense’s late-season collapse. I would have defended this angle by mentioning how,

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gave Saleh his first defensive coordinator opportunity in 2017 during Shanahan’s first season at the helm in San Francisco. Saleh struggled out of the gate, but turned into one of the NFL’s best defensive coordinators and wound up getting a job as the Jets head coach after the 2020 campaign.

The San Francisco 49ers might be turning back the clock by interviewing former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh for their open defensive coordinator position. Saleh left the exact role with the 49ers following the 2020 season to become the Jets coach.

The 49ers announced the completion of interviews with former Jets' head coach Robert Saleh and Lions' passing game coordinator Deshea Townsend

Townsend is a former longtime Steelers cornerback who has managed secondaries across the NFL over the last decade. He has been a defensive backs coach for the Titans (2016-17), Giants (2018, assistant), Bears (2019-21), Jaguars (2022-23) and Lions (2024). The last two stops have included duties as the defensive passing game coordinator.

The San Francisco 49ers began their search for a new defensive coordinator by interviewing Robert Saleh for a second stint at the job and Detroit Lions assistant Deshea Townsend.

The San Francisco 49ers are continuing a search for their next defensive coordinator, as they’ve currently held two interviews for the position: former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.