San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh certainly has to understand how now ex-New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is feeling on the moment.
Daboll got the ax from the G-Men to conclude Week 10, following a 24-20 defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears and on the tail of a 2-8 start to what'll be yet another disappointing season in the Big Apple.
Saleh, of course, can recall his own frustrating exit from that city in the middle of 2024 when the New York Jets ended his tenure as head coach, opening up the door to a reunion with Kyle Shanahan and the Niners last offseason.
Sources: Brian Daboll is out as the Giants head coach. pic.twitter.com/ITkKOdgRu3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025
Shanahan knows fully well Saleh wants to be a head coach again, and it's likely only a matter of time before the latter departs the Bay Area for his second attempt to helm a franchise.
Now, with yet another vacancy in New York, it's not hard to pen Saleh's name as a potential Daboll replacement, right?
Perhaps. But not likely.
Robert Saleh likely isn't a top candidate for Giants' head-coaching vacancy
The Giants' vacancy should be a relatively attractive job for candidates this offseason. It's a massive media market, combined with a relevant team guaranteed to get plenty of attention regardless of the win-loss record.
And one might argue it's far more stable a franchise than the Jets, too.
But the bigger attracting factor for a new head coach could be upstart quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has shown every bit to be the "real deal" after taking over starting duties a few weeks into the season, which also included giving the Niners some fits back in Week 9.
Saleh, as shown below, is certainly intrigued by Dart's capabilities and potential:
#49ers DC Robert Saleh on Giants QB Jaxson Dart: “He is uber-talented. I understand why [Brian] Daboll went to the blue tent — I probably would’ve gone too. … I think New York hit on this one big time. … This kid is going to be special.”
(🎥@957thegame)pic.twitter.com/nHz80LQX96
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 30, 2025
However, for those thinking Saleh could be on the shortlist of candidates the owning Mara family would consider, think again.
For starters, as our friend Matt Sidney over at GMen HQ pointed out, it seems likelier New York would want an offensive-minded head coach to serve as Dart's tutor and not someone with a defensive background.
On top of that, the Giants operate a 3-4 base defense, unlike Saleh's 4-3 scheme, which means a major retooling of the G-Men's defensive front would have to be implemented if he was to take over.
Not a quick and simple task, especially with Dart coming of age so quickly.
So, while Saleh might at least be considered, the likelihood of San Francisco losing him to New York again seems far less realistic than him staying put.