The San Francisco 49ers‘ coaching staff will be looking vastly different for the 2026 NFL season. Despite injuries on defense, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh got the most out of the unit as the Niners reached the divisional round before losing to the Seattle Seahawks.
On Jan. 19, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the Tennessee Titans are working to finalize a deal to hire Saleh as their head coach. Schefter added that Saleh spent Jan. 19 in Tennessee with the Titans, and the two sides impressed each other enough to move forward together.
For Saleh, he will be looking for a second opportunity as a head coach after serving as the New York Jets head coach from 2021 to 2024. Once the 49ers’ defensive coordinator takes over the Titans’ job, he will have a young QB to help develop, Cam Ward.
In his rookie season, Ward had a passer rating of 80.2 with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 17 games for the Titans, per StatMuse.
As a result, Saleh’s top priority, as a defensive coach, will be to have offensive coaches who can continue Ward’s development in the NFL and help it progress in a positive direction.
Brock Purdy Doesn’t Want Jauan Jennings to Leave 49ers
Saleh isn’t the only person in the Niners organization with an uncertain future and could explore other opportunities this offseason. 49ers’ Jauan Jennings is a free agent and can test the open market in mid-March.
Jennings had 55 catches for 643 yards and scored nine touchdowns in 15 games for the 49ers this season, per StatMuse. With the situation regarding Brandon Aiyuk and the departure of Deebo Samuel last offseason, Jennings took advantage of his increased role with San Francisco.
On Jan. 19, 49ers QB Brock Purdy made his feelings known that he wants Jennings back in San Francisco next season.
“I’m extremely hopeful,” Purdy told reporters (h/t 95.7 The Game). “He’s my guy and [I] love playing with him and everything that we’ve been through. He’s a war daddy that every time you step out on that field, man, you know you’re going to get your best and get everything from JJ. Obviously, I want my guy back.”
49ers Look to Add Pass Rush This Offseason
Although Saleh is reportedly leaving and Jennings could join him, the 49ers will be looking to add talent to a playoff team. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan predicts that the 49ers will look to add another pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa, rather than hope that only his return will bolster that sack total.
“I think the defense will play much better next year,” Lee Chan said in her video posted on YouTube on Jan. 18. “You’ve got Mykel Williams and Nick Bosa who will come back, and that is going to make a huge difference. I do think they target another pass rusher. They’ve got to get another guy in there to play opposite Nick Bosa to get pressure on the quarterback.
“Mykel Williams is, I think, more comfortable on the inside. They need to get an exterior guy. Bryce Huff was good, but he’s not supposed to play as many snaps. I think he’ll be better when Nick Bosa is out there with him, and he only plays 15 snaps a game, maybe 20.”
49ers Get Bad News as Titans Make Major Robert Saleh Decision