It's hard to say whether or not the San Francisco 49ers will lose defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to a head-coaching job for the second time when the offseason rolls around.
On one hand, Saleh should be a sought-after name for the numerous vacancies around the league, and he's already expressed an interest in getting another shot at being a head coach in the wake of his New York Jets flameout.
On the other, though, Saleh knows fully well he might not get a third opportunity, meaning his next head-coaching job could easily be his last. Should that chance be with a franchise known for instability and revolving doors, he might rebuff any offers.
Still, Saleh remains a top-end candidate, particularly for teams aiming to get the most out of their defenses.
Should he ultimately accept an offer to become head coach elsewhere, Saleh might also aim to bring some pending Niners free agents with him.
5 free-agent 49ers could follow Robert Saleh this offseason
So much of which players Saleh lures to a would-be new gig depends on the context for each franchise. Would he have significant authority over roster decisions? What does the inherited roster already look like? How's the draft capital, and how much cap space would his new team command?
Should a coach-needy team like the Las Vegas Raiders come calling, Saleh would be gifted the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft along with over $100 million in available cap space.
That'd be something.
Regardless, Saleh may look to pluck away these five San Francisco free agents to join him elsewhere.
No. 1: WR Jauan Jennings
The 49ers may opt to try re-signing Jauan Jennings in the wake of Brandon Aiyuk's season-long fiasco and absence, but it's likely Saleh's new team would have significantly more spending power, meaning Jennings could easily chase the lucrative contract he sought last offseason.
Over 600 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns is enough to price himself out of the Niners' comfort range, too, and Saleh certainly wouldn't mind having Jennings' physical prowess to complement his offense.
No. 2: EDGE Clelin Ferrell
San Francisco grabbed Clelin Ferrell off the scrap heap earlier this offseason, and Saleh turned him into a quality rotational pass-rusher who finished the regular season tied for the team lead in sacks with four.
While Ferrell clearly went bust after being drafted by the Raiders fourth overall back in 2019, landing cheap pass-rushing depth would surely be a priority for Saleh's new team.
No. 3: LB Curtis Robinson
Saleh could make an easy case for Curtis Robinson to join him elsewhere in 2026.
For starters, the perennial practice squad linebacker would be buried on the 49ers' own depth chart behind Fred Warner, Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune and Nick Martin, meaning playing time is contingent upon complete outperformance and/or injury.
Additionally, Saleh would like an established veteran to come along and show his system to the rest of his newfound roster in a more prominent role.
No. 4: TE Jake Tonges
Jake Tonges admirably filled in for George Kittle at multiple points throughout 2025, notching 293 yards and five touchdowns while few around the league even knew his name.
A restricted free agent, Saleh might have to wait and see what the Niners do with a potential tender on Tonges to act.
But, if Saleh's new team has the ability to sign the breakout tight end away at a reasonable price, it might be at San Francisco's detriment.
No. 5: DT Kevin Givens
Like Robinson, Kevin Givens has had a knack for sticking around with the 49ers year after year. But it's important to go back to 2020 when the fringe defender was thrust by Saleh into a prominent role in the wake of serious attrition along the Niners defensive line.
That year, Givens logged a then-career-high 386 defensive snaps, going from an unknown backup into a key rotational piece.
Turning 29 years old this offseason, Givens fits the mold of the short and squatty nose tackle Saleh employs in his base formations, and even if the defensive tackle isn't handed a starting job, Saleh would certainly entertain keeping him in such a prominent role.
Assuming Saleh departs San Francisco, of course.