Kyle Shanahan Confirms Robert Saleh Spurned Hefty Raiders Offer For 49ers Role

Kyle Shanahan confirms Robert Saleh spurned hefty Raiders offer for 49ers role originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While 49ers fans already are grateful for Robert Saleh’s return and immediate impact on San Francisco’s defense, the Faithful can take solace in the fact that the longtime defensive coordinator spurned other lucrative opportunities for a chance to come back to the Bay Area.

Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr reported earlier this week that Saleh declined a substantial offer to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive coordinator and heir-apparent to 74-year-old coach Pete Carroll.

Kyle Shanahan seemingly confirmed that report while speaking to reporters Friday, while also detailing that Saleh kept his word in having the 49ers be his first choice should he return to a defensive coordinator role.

“I think Robert had a lot of opportunities to be D-Coordinator. I think that was definitely one of them. So just talking to that whole thing and he got close to I think a couple head coach jobs in the time too. So, he was definitely our first choice, and we were hoping that we would be his, and that’s what he told me early on.”

Shanahan lightheartedly joked that he and Saleh would’ve had a problem if he decided to take a coordinator job elsewhere.

“So, I was glad he stuck with his word or we would’ve had beef. Saleh has done a lot in this league, and when you’ve done a lot, especially what he did here, but when you go do it at another place, the way their defense was in New York, that’s a hot commodity. The way he carries himself to how he is, I hope for us he’s not a head coach next year. But, I also know when you have the talent that someone like Robert does, it’s only a matter of time.”

Despite missing All-Pro superstars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, Saleh’s unit still ranks as the NFL’s No. 8 scoring defense this season, a tremendous accomplishment given the amount of roster turnover and rookies playing significant snaps in prominent spots.

San Francisco held each of its last two opponents to single-digit scoring totals and faces an abysmal 2-11 Tennessee Titans squad on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Saleh undoubtedly will rank among the more appealing coaching candidates for teams in search of new leadership this offseason, but for now, his focus remains with the 49ers, who find themselves in an advantageous position to make a serious playoff run even amid the myriad of injuries San Francisco has had to overcome this season.

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