The Cleveland Browns are back at square one after a six-season stint with head coach Kevin Stefanski.
After winning two NFL Coach of the Year awards in 2020 and 2023, Cleveland fired him and is back to looking for someone to lead the organization. There are multiple candidates rumored to be in the running for the job.
Some of them are already within the Browns' organization, while others are head coaches who followed behind Stefanski in being let go at the end of the 2025 regular season. In this case, a coach within the San Francisco 49ers' coaching staff is in the running.
49ers' defensive coordinator Robert Saleh labeled as a candidate for Browns' head coaching position
The Athletic's Zac Jackson provided a large list of candidates that the Browns could be willing to pursue. San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh appeared at the top of the list.
"If the Browns value head-coaching experience, Saleh should be near the top of their list," Jackson wrote. "Saleh, who turns 47 later this month, has 21 seasons of NFL coaching experience."
Before going back to San Francisco to take back the defensive coordinator job he had with the team from 2017 to 2021, Saleh attempted to revive the New York Jets as their head coach from 2021 to 2024.
Although it didn't pan out in New York, Saleh has shown that he's not afraid to take on a team that needs any help it can get.
With already having an opportunity to revive a struggling franchise, Saleh could be someone who tries again with the Cleveland Browns.
In 2025, Saleh has kept the 49ers' defense afloat despite season-ending injuries to top players like LB Fred Warner, EDGE Nick Bosa, and DL Mykel Williams.
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