In the grand scheme of things, many NFL fans may forget that the Green Bay Packers employed Robert Saleh for most of the 2024 NFL season. Of course, he spent the beginning of the year as the head coach of the New York Jets, a job he had held for three years prior. However, after their 2-3 start, the Jets fired him.
Saleh was soon hired by his old co-worker and friend, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. He was an offensive assistant, which seemed strange for a defensive-minded coach. However, he assisted the offense by helping them understand how opposing defenses would try to approach them.
Now Former Green Bay Packers Coach Robert Saleh Was a Favorite to Be the Next Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Heading into the offseason, Saleh was expected to be a hot name on the defensive coordinator market. However, he was also drawing interest from some teams as their potential next head coach. One of these was the Jacksonville Jaguars, who fired former Packers quarterback Doug Pederson.
That is, he was a favorite until Thursday. Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen also was a finalist for the job, but pulled his name out of consideration on Wednesday. Hours later, the Jaguars fired their general manager, Trent Baalke.
Despite reaching a verbal agreement with Tampa Bay to make him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL, Coen contacted Jacksonville and put his name back in the mix after hearing of Baalke’s firing (and their increased salary offer).
All of a sudden, Coen became the favorite again. And Saleh cancelled his flight to Jacksonville for his second interview.
Green Bay Packers Coach Robert Saleh Will Join the San Francisco 49ers as Defensive Coordinator
While he has not officially been ruled out as a head coach candidate by the New Orleans Saints or Dallas Cowboys, Saleh has made a decision on where he will be coaching next season.
For the second time in his career, he will be the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers:
BREAKING NEWS: The #49ers have hired Robert Saleh as the team’s Defensive Coordinator, per source.
Making him the highest paid DC in the NFL.
SALEH IS OFFICIALLY BACK #FTTB pic.twitter.com/5YfrdWPExb
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) January 24, 2025
This post is supported by a report in The Athletic, which states:
“Welcome back, Robert Saleh.
“According to league sources briefed on the coaching search, the San Francisco 49ers are expected to land the top target of their defensive coordinator search, the man who in 2017 established the system the 49ers have run ever since.”
Saleh served as the defensive coordinator in San Francisco prior to becoming the head coach of the Jets. Ever since he was fired, many believed this is where he would end up.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Aaron Rodgers: New York Jets Head Coach Has Made a Decision on the Former Packers QB
- Packers Rival Chicago Bears Set to Interview Former Coach, Wisconsin Badgers Star
- Packers WR Romeo Doubs Mentioned as Trade Bait to Acquire Aaron Rodgers Weapon
- Packers GM Brian Gutekunst State on Which WR Will Step Up in 2025; “I Don’t Think We Have Just One”
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