49ers face the worst of both worlds as an impactful detail emerges after losing Robert Saleh yet again
Rooney Rule won’t help San Francisco this time around.
When the San Francisco 49ers decided to hire Robert Saleh once again a year ago, the team knew the risk. Saleh did a decent job on the New York Jets despite all the challenges, and they got worse after he left, so a new head coaching opportunity, it was just a matter of time.
For the 49ers, though, the timing could have been worse on multiple fronts. Besides losing their excellent defensive coordinator, who becomes the Tennessee Titans head coach, the 49ers will not receive any compensatory draft picks this time around.
Why the Rooney Rule does not apply for the 49ers now
Back in 2020, NFL owners passed a resolution to reward teams for developing minority coaches and executives, and the 49ers have taken advantage of that rule like no one else, getting picks for Robert Saleh (Arab origin), Mike McDaniel, DeMeco Ryans, Martin Mayhew, and Ran Carthon.
However, the rule won’t apply for the 49ers right now because Robert Saleh spent only one season on the 49ers during his second tenure. The letter of the law states that it should be at least two years to generate compensation.
The Resolution JC-2A says that the head coach or executive has to be “employed by the employer-club for a minimum of two years,” and there can be no break in employment between teams.
Had Robert Saleh spent an extra year with the 49ers and then gotten a head coaching job, San Francisco would have received two third-round picks.
Performance
The second bad aspect is what Robert Saleh brings to the table as a defensive mind. The 49ers didn’t have a prolific defense in 2025, being 24th by EPA/play and 27th by DVOA. However, the unit played a tough brand of football and saw several of their young guys develop down the stretch — this was always going to be a rebuilding year for the defense with so many departures of veterans and the decision to replace them with rookies.
Since Saleh left the 49ers the first time back in 2021, Kyle Shanahan hasn’t been able to find a long-term replacement. DeMeco Ryans was a great promotion, but he ended up being hired as a head coach by the Houston Texans. Then, there were two unsuccessful one-and-dones with Steve Wilks and Nick Sorensen.
Now, Shanahan will have to search for his fifth defensive coordinator in five years — and without any draft compensation for it.
Tennessee Titans News
Titans Hire Robert Saleh As Next Head Coach: How the former 49ers and Jets coach proves the franchise is serious about winning
The Tennessee Titans are hiring Robert Saleh as their next head coach in 2026.
