The New York Giants parted ways with former head coach Brian Daboll on Monday after a late-game collapse against the Chicago Bears, sending the Giants to 2-8.
Within hours, speculation began that former Jets head coach Robert Saleh — who is now coordinating the San Francisco 49ers defense — could be a potential replacement.
It’s not difficult to see why Saleh’s name was mentioned. During his first stint with the 49ers (2017–2020), he turned a young and inexperinced defense into the NFL’s most suffocating unit, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance. His players tend to love him, and Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan has praised his leadership.
The Jets ultimately hired him in 2021, but that didn’t go so well. Still, CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan named Saleh a contender to watch for the Giants’ head coaching vacancy.
49ers DC Robert Saleh Named Candidate to Replace Brian Daboll as Next New York Giants Head Coach
Mike Stobe/GettyRobert Saleh has been called a name to watch as the New York Giants look to replace former head coach Brian Daboll.
“Don’t sleep on Saleh, who should be a familiar face to the region after serving as he head coach of the New York Jets from 2021 up until early October of last season,” Sullivan wrote on November 10.
“He could get another kick at the can as an NFL head coach, and recently showered Jaxson Dart with praise, calling the rookie ‘uber-talented’ leading up to their Week 9 matchup. Saleh even spoke with Dart following the contest, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, further signaling his affinity for the young quarterback. Saleh’s demise with the Jets was the team’s inability to get it right at quarterback. The Giants already have their guy, so Saleh could make sense, especially leading an emerging defense.”
That’s all true, but it’s also true that Saleh’s track record as a head coach isn’t that great. In over three seasons with the Jets, Saleh has a 20–36 record — the lowest winning percentage (.357) in Jets history among coaches who lasted at least 40 games. To be fair, his tenure there was marred by instability at quarterback, from Zach Wilson’s regression to Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles tear that derailed 2023 before it began. The Jets defense often punched above its weight, but the offense never matched.
Giants Likely Looking for Offensive-Minded HC
The Giants, with a young rookie quarterback in Jaxson Dart, will very likely lead towards hiring an offensive-minded coach.
That said, Saleh would bring qualities that the Giants sorely lack at present: toughness, accountability and a steady command. His time in Florham Park was difficult, but he proved capable of managing the glare that comes with this city’s relentless scrutiny. He remains respected across the league, particularly within the 49ers organization. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Giants GM Joe Schoen brought him in for an interview.
As of now, Saleh’s odds of landing the job don’t seem great. The Giants’ front office has telegraphed an interest in offensive direction — Daboll was an offensive guy, and his successor will likely be, too. But surprise hires happen all the time, and Saleh isn’t a guy we’d ever count out of anything.
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