So far, the San Francisco 49ers have interviewed former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend for the team's vacant defensive coordinator position.

The San Francisco 49ers might be turning back the clock by interviewing former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh for their open defensive coordinator position. Saleh left the exact role with the 49ers following the 2020 season to become the Jets coach.

Townsend is a former longtime Steelers cornerback who has managed secondaries across the NFL over the last decade. He has been a defensive backs coach for the Titans (2016-17), Giants (2018, assistant), Bears (2019-21), Jaguars (2022-23) and Lions (2024). The last two stops have included duties as the defensive passing game coordinator.

Former 49ers DC Robert Saleh could return to San Francisco after his Jets tenure, with Kyle Shanahan eyeing a familiar leader to restore defensive dominance.

The San Francisco 49ers began their search for a new defensive coordinator by interviewing Robert Saleh for a second stint at the job and Detroit Lions assistant Deshea Townsend.

The San Francisco 49ers appear to have their sites set on former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their No. 1 option in their search for a new defensive coordinator. However, with Saleh interviewing for head coaching jobs,

The San Francisco 49ers search for their next defensive coordinator is currently underway, as the team has already conducted two interviews for the vacancy: former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.