The San Francisco 49ers are once again in search of their next defensive coordinator. Some Niners fans already seem to have someone in mind.
The 49ers are relieving Nick Sorensen of his role as defensive coordinator, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. The team reportedly hopes to keep Sorenson in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s staff.
San Francisco has had difficulty retaining its defensive coordinator since Robert Saleh’s departure after the 2020 season. Current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans served as the 49ers’ DC in 2021 and 2022. Steve Wilks got the role for just one year in 2023 before Sorenson took over this season.
The 49ers’ next hire will be its fifth defensive coordinator over the last six seasons.
Several fans on X called for the 49ers to go with a familiar face for the role. Many felt as though bringing back Saleh would be the perfect move.
With Nick Sorensen out as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, is it time to bring back Robert Saleh?👀
Saleh, 45, has been serving as a consultant for the Packers, but will be seeking work for the 2025 season.
A potential reunion in San Francisco could be a strong possibility. pic.twitter.com/3YDjO8CnaN
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) January 8, 2025
Come home Bobby Saleh #49ers https://t.co/rte5pRTDU5 pic.twitter.com/UFuxNZBK68
— Greg Watterworth Jr. (@DestroVega) January 8, 2025
My Rankings for #49ers Defensive Coordinator:
1. Robert Saleh, Former Jets HC
2. Jeff Ulbrich, Interim Jets HC
3. Lou Anarumo, Former Bengals DC
4. Matt Eberflus, Former Bears HC
5. Navarro Bowman, Chargers LB coachSleeper being Bowman, who has gotten rave reviews in LA! #FTTB pic.twitter.com/TZ4oeySRn8
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) January 8, 2025
Think it’s time to put the band back together with @49ers and bring back Robert Saleh ( DC ) & Richard Hightower ( Sp Tms ) https://t.co/sqmLaJwgCv pic.twitter.com/sEAHyKKgS6
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) January 8, 2025
The Jets fired Saleh five games into the 2024 season and may very well be looking for the stability he once had in San Francisco after a tumultuous time in New York. There have been rumblings of a Saleh-49ers reunion ever since the Jets let him go back in October.
The 49ers had a dominant defense under Saleh, which is part of what made him an attractive head coaching option for the Jets in the first place.
However, it remains to be seen if Saleh would want to go back to being a defensive coordinator after getting a taste of the top job. Saleh has already interviewed with an AFC team about its head coaching vacancy.