49ers' Kyle Shanahan says he texted Robert Saleh after 'surprising' shot as Jets HC | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he texted former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh after receiving the “surprising” news of Saleh's firing.

“I texted him but haven't been able to talk to him yet,” Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday (2:15 in the video below). “I was pretty shocked. Things throw you off, especially when they are.” They're fighting for first place in the division this week and I think they're at the top of their game on defense, a pretty good team and have a chance to be a to have a damn good year.

“So it was pretty surprising.”

Saleh was released Tuesday following the Jets' 2-3 start to the 2024 season. He was in the fourth season of the five-year contract he signed with New York in 2021.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that Saleh was “blindsided” by the decision.

Team owner Woody Johnson told reporters Tuesday that he consulted with general manager Joe Douglas before firing Saleh, but that the decision was his alone.

Saleh's firing came two days after the Jets lost a 23-17 game to the Minnesota Vikings in London in which New York's defense had a strong second half against one of the league's highest-scoring offenses.

Despite the successes of the Jets defense, Saleh's specialty after focusing on unity in previous stints with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers, his inability to ignite his team's offense during international play could contributed to Johnson's decision.

Saleh was named the 49ers' defensive coordinator under Shanahan, whom he previously worked with on the Texans' assistant coaching staff.

He helped shape the Niners' defense during the 2019 season on the franchise's path to Super Bowl LIV, where they lost the championship to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 49ers' defense is currently led by defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who was promoted to that role from his defensive specialist position in 2023, and former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.

If either position becomes available, Saleh could potentially be offered another role in San Francisco in the future, although that decision may have to wait until at least 2025. Michael Silver reported for the on Tuesday San Francisco Chronicle that Saleh “has no plans to move to anyone during the 2024 season should an opportunity arise.”