The San Francisco 49ers aren’t just chasing another deep playoff run. They’re chasing ghosts—ghosts of their past dominance, ghosts of a defense that once struck fear into the league. The air at Levi’s Stadium is thick with anticipation, but rewind a few weeks, and you’d hear whispers of change. Nick Sorensen was out. Familiar footsteps echoed through the hallways. Robert Saleh was back.
This wasn’t just another hire. It was a reunion, a calculated step toward reclaiming an identity forged in the trenches. The 49ers’ faithful saw it as a return to their defensive roots. But as the 49ers lock in for the offseason and the 2025 NFL season set to start on September 6, 2025, questions loom. Can Saleh’s second stint elevate this defense to championship levels? And will Kyle Shanahan’s rumored pursuit of Myles Garrett turn this unit from formidable to flat-out terrifying?
The 49ers and fans are highly anticipant that Robert Saleh’s hiring would pay off. But as we are moving closer and closer to the core of the 2025 offseason, the city reporter David Lombardi (who is not related to Vince Lombardi at all) has revealed that Shanahan’s key decision of hiring Saleh as the DC could reflect the same result as the Eagles‘ hire of Vic Fangio. The way the Eagles’ defense performed in the Super Bowl game was a standout. And that’s what the renowned city reporter finds in Robert Saleh. While making the point, David Lombardi said, “We’re going to talk about the fact that the Eagles did not blitz a single time in the Super Bowl when they absolutely destroyed Patrick Mahomes.
Lombardi continued, “So this was zero blitzes and almost exclusive zone coverage from Vic Fangio. Guess who doesn’t like to blitz a lot and runs almost exclusively zone coverage?” And added, “That is the 49ers new defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh. I really enjoy this parallel. Because Vic Fangio used to be the 49ers defensive coordinator. There was some interest in bringing him back.” Saleh was a defensive coordinator of Kyle Shanahan’s team from 2017 to 2020. But parted ways with the franchise before landing in New York for head coaching.
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But as he has returned after a head coaching experience, experts believe it will be a different year for the 49ers defense. When Saleh was DC from 2017 to 2020, the 49ers were 2nd in total defense, first in passing defense, and fourth in Sacks. Looks like some resemblance to the Eagles’ defense, right? The Vic Fangio-led defense sacked the Chiefs Superstar staggering six times. Josh Sweat became a hero. And in addition to this, Cooper DeJean‘s pick-six was the peak point of Vic Fangio’s defense. So, the point we want to make here is the 49ers, led by Robert Saleh, also have a tremendous capacity to perform like the Eagles. Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Alex Barrett, and Javon Hargrave are the star players that can be used wisely to turn them from stars to beasts.
Actually, apart from the 49ers jobs, Shanahan and Saleh have a stronger bond since they were assistant coaches for the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2009. So, the chemistry is there, and capacity and quality are also there. But from a defensive end standpoint, Kyle Shanahan’s team needs a monster, and want-away Browns star Myles Garrett is a great option.
Kyle Shanahan’s pursuit of signing Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett, the star defensive tackle of the Cleveland Browns, has sought trade permission from the organization. And there is no doubt that Kyle Shanahan’s team has an interest in signing Garrett. And if the top defensive player in the league is willing to leave the Browns after 8 years, stating, “The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl”, why should the 49ers not sign him?
It’s a great opportunity for Shanahan’s team to have Myles Garrett and DC Saleh in the same squad. The Browns No. 95 has won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year of 2023 season. And if we talk about his stats in the 2024 season, the four-time first-team All-Pro is 2nd in sacks with 14 sacks throughout the season. He has made 40 solo tackles and forced three fumbles. Impressive!
So Kyle Shanahan’s interest in the player is not wild. The ‘San Francisco Standard’ reporters have also revealed that the 49ers are looking to “go for broke” to bring him in. So, the stage is set. Myles Garrett is also looking for a Super Bowl-worthy team and Kyle Shanahan’s team looks to be that option.