GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals have interest in stealing a top coordinator from their NFC West rival. Of the eight names requested by the team to interview for the head coaching job, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh seems like the safest choice. The 46-year-old is one of the most trusted coaches in the league, which leads to the unsurprising news by NFL.com that Arizona already has an interview scheduled with Saleh.
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Nov 16, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh reacts after defeating the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Is Saleh the answer for Cardinals?
Saleh has been coaching in the NFL since 2005, starting as a defensive intern with the Houston Texans. He wouldn’t get his first opportunity to call the defense until 2017 as a member of the 49ers. Saleh inherited the worst defense in the NFL at 2-14 and in three seasons turned them into a top 10 and into the Super Bowl.
The success in San Francisco gave Saleh his first and only head coaching job with the New York Jets. He was on course to repeat his miracle, coaching a New York team that went 2-14 the previous season. Year 3 was supposed to be the jump similar to the 49ers, but injuries to starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers forced Saleh to revert back to Zach Wilson at the position.
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets coach Robert Saleh reacts against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Rodgers began the fall of Saleh in New York. After back-to-back 7-10 season, Saleh entered 2024 on the hot seat. Despite a 2-3 record to start the year, the Jets were competitive in all of the games. However, that didn’t stop the franchise from firing its head coach early in the season. The relationship between Saleh and Rodgers had completely fallen apart, leading to his departure.
Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, left, and head coach Kyle Shanahan, right, exit the locker room during pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
San Francisco’s head coach Kyle Shanahan almost immediately brough Saleh back, and recaptured the success in years prior. The 49ers went from the 29th defense to the 13th defense this season under Saleh as the team is primed to make a serious playoff push because of the improved defensive effort.
Saleh is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL. The Cardinals just had the 29th worst scoring defense in the league and allowed 37 or more points in five of the team’s last eight games. Arizona did have the most starters missed games last season. Regardless, the defense still needs heavy work heading into 2026.
Cardinals General manager Monti Ossenfort is leading the head coaching search, looking for the next head coach to bring wins. Saleh has proven, if given time, he can turn around any situation and install his defensive system with great success.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
