🚨 49ers Facing Nightmare Scenario: Could Robert Saleh and John Harbaugh Shake Up the NFC West? 👇

As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for their Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday, they are also facing an off-the-field dilemma that could significantly impact their future: the possibility of losing key figures in their coaching staff. The latest reports suggest a major coaching carousel is about to spin, and the 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is at the center of it.

David Lombardi, a 49ers insider, summed up the situation with a tweet that has sent waves through San Francisco fans: “49ers’ nightmare: Robert Saleh to Baltimore and John Harbaugh to Arizona.” This tweet captures the unsettling reality facing the 49ers as two prominent head-coaching positions—Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals—have opened up in the span of just days.

Robert Saleh’s Rising Profile

Robert Saleh, the 49ers’ current defensive coordinator, is suddenly back in the head-coaching spotlight. After spending four years as the 49ers’ DC from 2017 to 2020, Saleh left for a head-coaching role with the New York Jets. However, his time with the Jets ended prematurely in mid-2024, and Saleh returned to San Francisco for another stint as the defensive coordinator.

Saleh’s impact has been immediately noticeable, as the 49ers’ defense has once again become one of the most dominant units in the NFL. His energy, structure, and leadership have revitalized a defense that is among the best in the league, making him a prime candidate for any team looking for a fresh start.

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly submitted an interview request for Saleh, with NBC Sports Bay Area confirming that Arizona is targeting him for their vacant head coach position. Given the Cardinals’ abysmal defense in 2025, which ranked near the bottom of the league in total yards and points allowed, it makes perfect sense for them to look at Saleh as a culture-reset candidate. Saleh’s reputation for bringing structure, energy, and discipline to a defense that struggled last season would make him an ideal fit for a team in need of a major overhaul.

Baltimore Ravens Head Coaching Opening

As if Arizona’s interest wasn’t enough of a threat, Baltimore has now entered the conversation after firing John Harbaugh on January 6, 2026. The Ravens have always been a defensively-minded team, and if they decide they want another defensive-oriented head coach with a proven track record, Saleh will likely be at the top of their list.

Given the Ravens’ playoff pedigree and the job they’ve done building a strong defense under Harbaugh’s leadership, Saleh’s familiarity with that style of team-building could make him a perfect candidate. With the Ravens now in the hunt for a new head coach, it’s clear that the competition for Saleh’s services is heating up.

The Nightmare Scenario: Saleh to Arizona and Harbaugh to NFC West Rival

David Lombardi’s tweet wasn’t just sensational for its drama—it touches on a very real fear for the 49ers: the Arizona Cardinals potentially hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach. Harbaugh, a Super Bowl-winning coach with nearly two decades of experience in Baltimore, would represent a significant challenge for the 49ers in the NFC West.

Arizona has already confirmed its head-coaching search after firing Jonathan Gannon on January 5 following a disastrous 3-14 season. Harbaugh would bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and credibility to a Cardinals franchise desperate for direction. If Harbaugh were to land in Arizona, it would make the NFC West even more competitive, and the 49ers would have to deal with the reinvigoration of a divisional rival with an established head coach.

The Coaching Carousel Process and Timing

The timing of all this is crucial, especially for the 49ers. With their Wild Card game against the Eagles coming up, Robert Saleh’s potential departure would leave a massive hole in the 49ers’ defense, one of the team’s most dominant areas. The NFL’s interview process during the postseason is structured to prevent teams from losing key coaches during the playoff push, but this doesn’t stop teams from seeking permission to talk to candidates.

As the 49ers gear up for their playoff run, they’ll likely be focused on handling this looming coaching carousel. If Saleh does leave for a head coaching job, the 49ers could be awarded compensatory draft picks—but that doesn’t provide much solace to a team hoping to keep its defensive unit intact.

What Happens Next for the 49ers?

For the 49ers, this offseason has already presented plenty of challenges, but the potential loss of Robert Saleh would add another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation. With teams like Arizona and Baltimore potentially looking to poach Saleh, the 49ers will need to decide whether to offer Saleh a new deal to keep him in San Francisco.

The Silver lining for the 49ers is that, if Saleh does leave, they’ll receive compensatory draft picks for his departure due to the league’s minority hiring policy. But realistically, nobody in San Francisco wants to hear about compensatory picks while preparing for a playoff game. The real focus is on keeping a key member of their coaching staff while attempting to maintain focus on the postseason.

Conclusion: The 49ers’ Coaching Nightmare

The San Francisco 49ers are facing a stressful offseason filled with uncertainty, and the possibility of losing Robert Saleh—to either Arizona or Baltimore—adds another layer of anxiety. As the team gears up for its Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles, they must also address the coaching carousel that is spinning fast around them. For 49ers fans, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether they can retain Saleh or whether the team will need to find a new defensive leader at a time when their Super Bowl aspirations are at their peak.