Niners Nation
Two of the most important 49ers players on defense were at the Pro Bowl and asked about Saleh’s return
The San Francisco 49ers’ most important defensive players are excited for the return of Robert Saleh.
Both linebacker Fred Warner and defensive lineman Nick Bosa were in Orlando, Florida, for the Pro Bowl. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan got their thoughts on their old defensive coordinator returning.
“It means a lot,” Warner said. “You know, obviously, coach Saleh has been amazing for us and for myself as a young player. It’s going to be interesting being the old guy now. Myself, being with him again, it’s going to be fun though.”
Warner elaborated that he was able to chat with Saleh via FaceTime, indicating Saleh is excited to get back to the organization where he cut his teeth as defensive coordinator.
Bosa was just as excited to learn that the DC who was in the room when he was drafted would be back with the team.
“It’s huge,” Bosa said. “Familiar face, guy that I’ve missed and kinda didn’t know how good we had it when he was there.”
The last two defensive coordinators the 49ers had seemed to be a big step down in energy, something the 49ers defense was sorely missing in 2024. That will not be the case with Saleh. Saleh’s energy is well known among 49ers fans, and while his successor, DeMeco Ryans, kept it at an adequate level, the energy level began plummeting with subsequent defensive coordinators following Ryans.
It might be the very thing that returns the 49ers to dominance.
“It’s contagious,” Warner said. “You see it; him, DeMeco [Ryans], that was a big part of why we were so successful.”
