For any coach who has tasted the top job, the question of a return always lingers. For Robert Saleh, who had a scarring first head coaching stint with the New York Jets, that is a very possible reality. However, now back in the familiar confines of the San Francisco 49ers‘ defensive coordinator room, that question has a clear, if not permanent, answer.

“We all want to get to the top of our profession,” Saleh confessed to Josina Anderson in a recent episode of the Exhibit Show. “But honestly, I say this with great humility, my focus is here and just trying our best to get to the playoffs and see if we can make some damage and host a Super Bowl here in our building.”

After being a favorite for a head coaching job, Saleh landed with the Jets in 2021. However, due to injuries and other challenging circumstances in a dysfunctional organization, his stay there did not end on a good note. He left New York with a 20-36 record in just over three years. But that detour from a DC role did come with something.

Saleh learned important lessons as a head coach.

Once again, the 46-year-old is a favorite to land as an HC. However, he understands that this might as well be his final gig in the profession’s highest role. And so, if he does opt to leave San Francisco again for that position, he will ensure that he doesn’t go to an unstable franchise and that his tenure is safe for at least five to six years, unlike the usual three-year contracts, just so he can make some difference.

Moreover, one of the bigger things he learned after being away from the 49ers was just how much he liked and respected it.

“The 49ers felt right to me,” Saleh said after returning for his second DC stint in SF. “It’s a championship organization, with an owner (Jed York), GM (John Lynch) and head coach that I respect so much. Kyle and I had already rebuilt a defense once — this was a chance for us to do it again.”

Saleh returned to the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator earlier this year after reportedly passing over teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Raiders. For him, San Francisco was always the preferred landing spot.

Saleh’s return as the defensive coordinator also saw renewed energy and trust in their defense.

Last season, the 49ers’ defense surrendered the seventh-worst EPA per rush allowed. San Francisco’s defense earned a 54.6 run-defense grade from PFF, ranking 28th in the league—the lowest of the Kyle Shanahan era. The team also allowed 24 rushing touchdowns, second only to the Dallas Cowboys (25). This season, things have improved.

While their defense still ranks 27th in the league, they are allowing 20 points per game. Moreover, so far, they’ve only allowed eight rushing TDs, ranking sixth in the league. And they are 12th for rushing yards allowed. With the 49ers drafting several defensive players and already having stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner on the roster, Saleh’s leadership is focused on rebuilding a strong, balanced defense.

Anything outside of the 49ers is clearly on pause. But many believe there’s one team that can take away Saleh as the offseason starts.

Could the Las Vegas Raiders be interested in Robert Saleh amid their ongoing struggles?

The Raiders are in deep trouble this season. Currently 2-10, the team has one of the worst offenses in the league and a bottom-10 defense under the current head coach, Pete Carroll. While the team undergoes major coaching changes, including the removal of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, it appears that their leadership is quite unstable.

The Raiders may view Robert Saleh as a potential fix.

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They reportedly offered him a record-breaking contract to be their defensive coordinator last offseason, with a plan to let him succeed Carroll as head coach later on. Considering their situation, a coach with a fresh approach, such as Saleh, could appeal to the owner and GM as a way to reset the franchise.

Saleh’s numbers directly support these interests. He previously served as the 49ers’ DC from 2017 to 2020, helping build a top-level defense that led the team to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2019 season. He later became head coach of the New York Jets (2021–2024), before making a comeback to the 49ers this season.

“I’m not thinking about it, Jo,” Saleh told Anderson about a potential reunion with the city he recently called home. “I know you probably want an answer, but we’ve got four weeks here. We’re in the middle of a playoff push.”

Still, Saleh added, “Love New York. Love the fanbase. Love all of it. Love the chaos.”

So, despite a clear answer for now, Saleh certainly wants to return to the top brass position. Right now, though, he wants to bring a playoff game to San Francisco. The 49ers will exit their bye week with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans before facing a challenging stretch to close the regular season, including games against the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and Seattle Seahawks.