NY Jets complete interview with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh

The NY Jets have completed an interview with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

The NY Jets continue to explore their options in search of the team’s next head coach. And on Friday, they officially conducted an interview with their third potential candidate in San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Saleh joins the likes of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and longtime Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis as candidates the Jets have interviewed thus far.

The team also reportedly plans to interview the likes of Arthur Smith, Brian Daboll, Brandon Staley, Matt Eberflus, and Aaron Glenn in the coming days and weeks. And we’ll surely hear more names added to the growing list before long as well.

The Jets announced on Friday that they had interviewed Saleh — an individual who has been a hot name on the coaching market for the past two years.

Saleh helped captain one of the best defenses in football a year ago leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl berth on the back of a defense that finished second in yards allowed per game.

As such, the former Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers coach quickly emerged as a legitimate head coach candidate. Ultimately, he would return to San Francisco where he would only further improve his stock in 2020.

The NY Jets must have been impressed with Robert Saleh in 2020

Faced with a litany of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers turned to Saleh to lead a depleted defense under difficult circumstances.

Even with the likes of Nick Bosa, Richard Sherman, Solomon Thomas, Dee Ford, and others missing substantial time, the 49ers continued to put together strong defensive performances on a weekly basis.

Saleh was praised for his in-game adjustments, top-tier game-planning, and ability to maximize his players’ talents. And even with a defense full of backups for the majority of the year, the 49ers still finished top-five in yards allowed per game.

His boisterous personality has made him a fan-favorite and media darling, and it’s easy to see him being an excellent fit in New York. For that reason, he remains atop many Jets fans’ wish lists this offseason.

It seems likely that Saleh lands a head coach job as soon as this offseason. And that opportunity could come courtesy of the Jets.