SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Robert Saleh is reprising his role as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, the team announced Friday night. Saleh returns to a vastly different unit than he left behind four years ago.

Robert Saleh is heading back to San Francisco. Saleh and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a contract for him to return as the team's

Robert Saleh is reportedly closer to becoming the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, with his contract set to be special compared to other coaches in the same position. The San Francisco 49ers are looking for all the help they can get heading into the 2025 season,

Later on Thursday, then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen had a change of heart, the Jacksonville Jaguars quickly moved to hire him as head coach and Saleh, who told Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch that he’d return to the 49ers if he didn’t get a head-coaching job, stayed true to his promise.

The 49ers and Jets both enjoyed top-five defenses under Saleh. There’s little reason to expect Saleh to stray away from what’s made his defenses elite. There also may not be m