Report: 49ers targeting Saleh after firing DC Sorensen

Nick Sorensen won't return as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator in 2025, a source told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports.

The 49ers are expected to offer former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh the defensive coordinator job, sources told NFL insider Josina Anderson. Saleh spent four years as Kyle Shanahan's defensive coordinator with the 49ers from 2017-20 before landing with the Jets.

San Francisco reportedly hopes to keep Sorensen on its staff in a different role.

Sorensen is the second straight 49ers defensive coordinator to go one-and-done after replacing Steve Wilks during the 2024 offseason.

San Francisco - which had the NFL's top-ranked defense two years ago - ranked 29th in points allowed in 2024, down from third in 2023. The team placed only 26th in EPA/play allowed.

Injuries were a big issue for the Niners, who missed the playoffs this season with a 6-11 record.

It's the fourth straight year in which San Francisco is in the market for a new defensive coordinator. Here are the team's DCs in recent years: