Former 49ers coach Robert Saleh unjustly fired by the Jets

For the San Francisco 49ers, sitting at a record of 2-3 isn't exactly ideal. This isn't how fans anticipated the season to start, by any means. But, there is plenty of good news to be had.

First of all, there is plenty of time left in the season. The Niners are in a division that's still wide-open with the Seattle Seahawks leading the way at 3-2, just one game ahead. This isn't a team that's going to be panicking by any means. This Kyle Shanahan-led team is built to make it through adversity. Fans shouldn't be worried.

Another 2-3 team, though, all the way across the country, might be thinking otherwise. In fact, it's fair to say that the New York Jets have indeed started the process of panicking. On Tuesday morning, the Jets announced they had fired head coach Robert Saleh.

Saleh, of course, came from being the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017-2020. During his time with the Jets, it is fair to argue that he never really got a fair chance.

Let's be real, the following list of quarterbacks doesn't quite qualify as "a fair shot."

Now, there's an argument to be made that a head coach like Shanahan could do better under the above circumstances. But, that's a completely different story.

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Saleh was able to be at the helm for a whopping six games of Aaron Rodgers -- that's it. I'd assume he was under the impression he'd get a little longer than only six games with the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Yet, here we are. Saleh is now out of a job, but my guess is, not for long.

Could Robert Saleh return to the 49ers staff?

From Saleh's point of view, the biggest question now, is: what's next for him? We know the Jets are going with Jeff Ulbrich as the interim coach, but this is about Saleh. Is a return to the Niners a possibility?

I wouldn't rule it out.

The 49ers defense is currently 10th in yards given up and 9th in points given up through five weeks, so this wouldn't be a case where the team makes a rash decision to part ways with Nick Sorenson in favor of bringing back Saleh.

However, a return to San Francisco shouldn't be out of the question for the former Niners defensive coordinator. Good things happen to successful assistants under Shanahan, as he's learned. And, maybe starting back with San Francisco is the way to go. That could be what leads Saleh to another head coaching opportunity, much sooner than later.

If Shanahan wants Saleh back, and the feeling is mutual, the team would create a position for him. He'd be heavily involved from the jump too, because as we've said, the 49ers are far from a finished product and can use the extra help at the moment.

Should Saleh be interested in returning to San Francisco on a short-term basis, it could be a win-win for both sides.