The 49ers have had tunnel vision on Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator, but he might end up getting hired elsewhere.
The San Francisco 49ers haven't conducted their search for a new defensive coordinator appropriately this offseason.
Sure, the Niners have conducted some interviews: Detroit Lions defensive pass-game coordinator Deshea Townsend, San Francisco's assistant head coach Brandon Staley and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh to fill the void left by ousted coordinator Nick Sorensen.
But, all signs still point to head coach Kyle Shanahan being all-in on reuniting with Saleh, his former defensive coordinator from 2017 through 2020.
Saleh might have a handshake agreement with Shanahan. However, the former made it clear he prefers a head-coaching gig.
And the latest reports suggest the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of Saleh's former employers, are honing in on him as their new head coach, conducting a second interview in the wake of another candidate, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, taking the helm as the Chicago Bears' new head coach.
Former #Jets head coach Robert Saleh has a second interview with the #Jaguars scheduled for Friday, per sources.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 20, 2025
Saleh acquitted himself well in first interview and gets a longer look. pic.twitter.com/PlbsdjAfah
Not ideal for Shanahan.
Simultaneously, other potential coordinators are finding new gigs in parallel with the 49ers' decision to wait on Saleh. Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is heading to the Atlanta Falcons, while former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is poised to join Johnson in Chicago as the Bears' new defensive coordinator.
Additionally, former Cincinnati Bengals coordinator Lou Anarumo is off to the Indianapolis Colts to helm their defense under head coach Shane Steichen.
Options are running out.
49ers may be forced to settle for Brandon Staley
During his end-of-season press conference, Shanahan told reporters he'd give Staley a chance after the latter served on the Niners staff and assisted Sorensen with game planning.
Staley, whose tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers as head coach didn't go as hoped, earned some merit with the Los Angeles Rams, previously, during their Super Bowl run in 2021. But the Bolts' own defense suffered miscues and meltdowns during Staley's tenure there, suggesting a promotion in San Francisco won't exactly be the solution needed in the wake of Sorensen's disappointing one-and-done campaign.
Related story: 49ers apparently don't have contingency plan if Robert Saleh is hired elsewhere
However, given how quickly other candidates are finding jobs elsewhere, Shanahan and the 49ers may not have many other choices.
Perhaps it's the contingency plan in case Saleh finds his desired head-coaching job, though.
If so, naming Staley as the Niners' new defensive coordinator will be an awfully tough sell to the fanbase.