With the San Francisco 49ers at 5-8, it’s probably safe to look ahead to the off season. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh remains the betting favorite to land the job as head coach with the Detroit Lions. If not, he will likely be in talks for other vacancies. Saleh’s departure may not be the only attrition of 49ers’ coaching staff. The dispatcher is expected to keep an eye on some of the 49ers’ assistants to take with him.
Maybe those discussions between Saleh and head coach Kyle Shanahan have already started. At least, that’s what beatwriter Matt Barrows hears.
“I’ve heard there have been discussions between Saleh and Shanahan – horse trading, if you will – about which offensive coaches Saleh could take,” Barrows wrote in a recent postbag position for The Athletic.
Chances are, the options include an offensive coordinator. Run game coordinator Mike McDaniel and pass game coordinator Mike LaFleur appear to be potential candidates. With a plethora of San Francisco players slated to become free agents, a coaching staff around Saleh and McDaniel or LaFleur could make Detroit a tempting destination. However, it’s also worth noting that the Lions are expected to have even less salary headroom than the 49ers.
Barrows’ best Guess (emphasizing the word “guess”) What assistant might join Saleh in Detroit? That would be LaFleur, as Saleh has a “long-term relationship” with the LaFleur family. He and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur remain close friends.
There may also be some defensive assistants willing to jump from the 49ers to the Lions if that means a promotion.
It’s just another interesting treat from Barrows.
More San Francisco 49ers News
Robert Saleh talks Richard Sherman, Javon Kinlaw, Jimmie Ward, Kevin Givens, Josh Allen for 49ers-Bills
By site personnel
December 4, 2020
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke with reporters from Glendale, Arizona on Friday as the team prepares to host the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium. Here’s everything he had to say. Transcription provided by San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. I’m sure you’ve seen it today that there are some lawmakers in your home state who think very much about you and think you should be hired by the lions. Did you see that? How about it? “To be completely honest, I didn’t see or hear anything until I got off the practice field. So I don’t know what to think about it or anything. So it’s just whatever, I guess, you know.” My follow-up question would be are why
Robert Saleh speaks loss to Bills, Arik Armstead, Alex Smith, Terry McLaurin to 49ers-Washington
By site personnel
December 10, 2020
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke to reporters after Thursday’s practice as the team prepares to play against Washington this weekend. Here’s everything he had to say. Transcript provided by San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan said yesterday that he showed many videos of Monday-evening’s game, offensively and defensively. What were some of the main messages related to your defense that you had to resolve before Sunday? “ Obviously, we all feel like we’re a lot better than what we showed on Monday night, but when you play a foul as good as Buffalo’s and you’re not playing, you’re a game, something like that . can happen. We made a few
‘He’s everything we hoped for’: Kyle Shanahan wants Richard Sherman to return to 49ers
By David Bonilla
December 3, 2020
Richard Sherman is one of several San Francisco 49ers players who are on free-agency after the season. The cornerback is in the final year of the three-year deal he signed when he arrived from division rival Seattle Seahawks. Fans haven’t seen much Sherman this season. He played during week 1 and won against the Los Angeles Rams in week 12 last Sunday. Sherman, however, missed all games in between with a calf injury. However, he made a strong argument against the Rams that perhaps the 49ers should seriously consider bringing him back in 2021. That’s something that head coach Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t mind seeing happen. Sherman turns 33 next season, and normally you don’t want to invest in a player who might have a