Nick Bosa only realized how important Robert Saleh was to the San Francisco 49ers’ defense after he returned this off-season.
Bosa praised Saleh’s comeback to the Bay Area and shared his excitement about playing for the new 49ers defensive coordinator, who is back for a second time in this role.
Saleh served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020 and helped lead the team to Super Bowl LIV during the 2019 season.
He then became the head coach of the New York Jets but was let go after three seasons with losing records and a rough start to the much-anticipated 2024 season.
In January, Saleh was reappointed as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, taking over from Brandon Staley, who moved on to become the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.
What did Nick Bosa say about Robert Saleh?
Bosa shared that he is more thrilled to have Saleh leading his side of the defense now than he was during his first time as the Niners’ defensive coordinator. “I think I appreciate him more now,” Bosa said. “As a rookie, I didn’t really understand how good he was as a defensive coordinator.”
Saleh is well-respected in the NFL, which is clear from how quickly he found a job with the Green Bay Packers after being released by the Jets, before returning to the 49ers once their season finished.
Bosa talked about Saleh’s character and how much he admires him. “It’s awesome to have him back,” Bosa said. “I really like him as a person. He’s an amazing guy.”
Bosa made these comments after the 49ers’ OTAs on Wednesday, but they also reflect his excitement about San Francisco bringing Saleh back earlier this year. “It’s huge,” Bosa told NBC Sports Bay Area in February. “It’s nice to see a familiar face—a guy I’ve missed. I didn’t realize how lucky we were when he was here.”
“He’s a great person and an excellent coach.”
