5 head coaching candidates for the Houston Texans this offseason

The San Francisco 49ers could have called it a season. They could have lost out, set themselves up for a high pick and packed it in after a lost year.

Instead, the defense played on their best games of the season, sacking Kyler Murray three times and forcing a late interception to pull off the 20-12 upset. Part of the reason was to prove it to themselves. The other part was to help boost Robert Saleh‘s resume this hiring cycle.

Saleh was a hot name on the market after posting the No. 1 defense in 2019. He’s well-respected by coaches but adored by his players, with Fred Warner giving him a shoutout after the victory in Arizona.

Best of all? Saleh has ties to the Texans organization after spending time two seasons working with Gary Kubiak.

Houston finished with the 30th DVOA defense and 29th in pass defense. With several 49ers hitting free agency, Saleh might be able to convince several to play for him in Houston under a decent deal.

Watson is said to be a part of the hiring process. Sometimes the best plan to fixing an offense is by fixing a defense first.