Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
With the San Francisco 49ers sitting at 5-8, it’s probably safe to start looking forward toward the offseason. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh remains the betting favorite to land the head-coaching job with the Detroit Lions. If that doesn’t happen, he will likely be in the conversation for other openings. Saleh’s departure may not be the only turnover on the 49ers coaching staff. The coordinator is expected to eye some of the 49ers’ assistants to take with him.
Maybe those discussions between Saleh and head coach Kyle Shanahan have already started. At least, that’s what beat writer Matt Barrows is hearing.
“I’ve heard there already have been discussions between Saleh and Shanahan — horse-trading, if you will — about which offensive coaches Saleh might take with him,” wrote Barrows in a recent mailbag feature for The Athletic.
The odds are that the options include an offensive coordinator. Run-game coordinator Mike McDaniel and passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur seem like potential candidates. With a plethora of San Francisco’s players scheduled to become free agents, a coaching staff built around Saleh and either McDaniel or LaFleur could make Detroit a tempting destination. However, it is also worth noting that the Lions are projected to have even less salary-cap space than the 49ers.
Barrows’ best guess (stressing the word “guess”) on which assistant might join Saleh in Detroit? That would be LaFleur, since Saleh has a “long-time relationship” with the LaFleur family. He and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur remain close friends.
There could also be some defensive assistants willing to jump from the 49ers to the Lions if it means a promotion.
It’s just yet another interesting tidbit from Barrows.
More San Francisco 49ers News
Robert Saleh talks Richard Sherman, Javon Kinlaw, Jimmie Ward, Kevin Givens, Josh Allen ahead of 49ers-Bills
By Site Staff
Dec 4, 2020
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke with reporters from Glendale, Arizona on Friday as the team prepares to host the Buffalo Bills at State Farm Stadium. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
I’m sure you saw today, there’s some legislators in your home state that think very highly of you and think you should be hired by the Lions. Did you see that? What did you think of it?
“To be completely honest, I didn’t see anything or hear anything until coming off the practice field. So, I don’t know what to make of it or anything like that. So, it’s just whatever, I guess, you know.”
My follow-up question would be why
Robert Saleh talks loss to Bills, Arik Armstead, Alex Smith, Terry McLaurin ahead of 49ers-Washington
By Site Staff
Dec 10, 2020
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke with reporters after Thursday’s practice, as the team prepares to play Washington this weekend. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was talking yesterday that he showed a lot of clips from the Monday night game, offensively and defensively. What were some of the main messages regarding your defense that you guys needed to fix up before Sunday?
“Obviously, we all feel that we’re a heck of a lot better than what we showed on Monday night, but when you play an offense as good as Buffalo’s and you’re not on you’re a-game, something like that can happen. We made some
‘He’s been everything we’ve hoped’: Kyle Shanahan wants to see Richard Sherman return to 49ers
By David Bonilla
Dec 3, 2020
Richard Sherman is one of several San Francisco 49ers players scheduled to hit free agency after the season. The cornerback is in the final year of the three-year deal he signed upon arriving from the division-rival Seattle Seahawks.
Fans haven’t gotten to see a lot of Sherman this season. He played during Week 1 and this past Sunday’s Week 12 win over the Los Angeles Rams. However, Sherman missed all the games in between with a calf injury. Against the Rams, though, he made a strong case that maybe the 49ers should seriously consider bringing him back in 2021.
That’s something that head coach Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t mind seeing happen. Sherman will be 33 years old next season, and, typically, you don’t want to invest in a player who may be approaching a
