Chargers express interest in 49ers DC Saleh
LA the fourth team to reach out about defensive coordinator
The Chargers are now the fourth team to reach out to the 49ers seeking permission to speak with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh about their head coach vacancy.
ESPN’s Adam Schef ter repor ted Monday the Chargers formally requested to interview Saleh, who conducted a virtual interview with the Falcons Monday night and has impending meetings with the Lions (on Thursday) as well as the Jaguars.
The Lions have been seen as a natural fit for Saleh, a Dearborn, Michigan native who grew up a Lions fan and played college football at Northern Michigan.
There’s been no indication when Saleh would meet with the Jaguars or the Chargers.
The Chargers, though, are perhaps the most attractive of the teams looking at Saleh. Not only do they have a young, franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, but they’ve got the makings of a solid defense with playmakers such as defensive end Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James to pair with promising linebacker Kenneth Murray.
While Saleh has distinguished himself as one of the very best defensive coordinators in the league while with the 49ers, he’s joining a list of seven other known Chargers candidates to take over for Anthony Lynn, who was fired Monday after going 33-31 in four seasons.
In addition to Saleh, the Chargers have also reached out to in
terview defensive coordinators Brandon Staley of the Rams and Matt Eberflus of the Colts.
The Chargers’ coaching wish list reportedly also includes five offensive coordinators: Eric Bienemy of the Chiefs, Brian Daboll of the Bills, Jason Garrett of the Giants, Joe Brady of the Panthers and Arthur Smith of the Titans.
Saleh, who’ll turn 42 on Jan. 31, was masterful last year while helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl — the defense was No. 1 in passing yards allowed (169.2 per game) and No. 2 in total yards allowed (281.8) — but may have done his best work this season for a depleted unit.
Despite missing standouts such as Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Solomon Thomas and Richard Sherman for most of the season, San Francisco still ranked fifth overall in yards allowed (314.4 per game), including seventh against the run (106.4 yards) and fourth against the pass (207.9 yards).
The 49ers seem resigned to losing Saleh to one of the teams he speaks with, and it’s possible they’d replace him at defensive coordinator with linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans.