Returning 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh shared his philosophy and his goal in the role: staying well ahead of the offensive trends.

Saleh was hired as head coach Kyle Shanahan’s first defensive coordinator in 2017 and struggled the first two seasons. But after the team drafted Bosa in 2019 and implemented the “wide nine” scheme that featured edge rushers lining up wide and focusing on getting up field, the defense took off.

The San Francisco 49ers are excited to have Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator once again. Saleh is a defensive genius who worked wonders in San Francisco during his last tenure with the team. The 49ers gave Saleh plenty of toys to play with during the 2025 NFL Draft. It will be exciting to see what he does with the defense this fall.