Titans To Conduct In-Person Robert Saleh HC Interview
Robert Saleh was originally slated to interview with the Titans today. That will no longer be the case, but not because the 49ers‘ defensive coordinator is out of the running. 
Tennessee has moved the Saleh interview to tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Had the parties spoken today, they would have needed to do so virtually due to the rules governing HC interviews. Instead, Saleh will now be able to meet with the Titans in person given the timing of his summit.
Tennessee lined up a trio of finalists yesterday: Kevin Stefanski, Jeff Hafley and Matt Nagy. The Falcons have since hired Stefanski, however, while Hafley appears to be the top option in Miami. Nagy has long loomed as a logical fit in this case, but at least one other candidate will receive a look. Nagy is set to conduct his second interview Monday morning, per Rapoport, while Saleh’s initial sit-down will take place in the afternoon.
Despite the fact Saleh was not among the three staffers to receive a request regarding an in-person interview, he resided as a potential finalist. Today’s update thus comes as no surprise. The 49ers lost last night, ending their season. Saleh’s attention can now turn fully to his potential return to the NFL’s head coaching ranks.
The 46-year-old saw his Jets run come to an end midway through its fourth season (2024). Saleh’s New York teams posted a losing record every year in which he was at the helm; overall, his tenure produced a mark of 20-36. In a year comparatively short on bluechip first-time head coaching candidates, however, Saleh is among the many former HCs potentially in line to receive a second opportunity.
The Titans’ decision to fire Mike Vrabel has not yielded success on the field or stability in the organization. Brian Callahan was dismissed before finishing his second year with the team, and a front office now led by Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker is in place to find his replacement. Nagy and Borgonzi worked together in Kansas City, and a reunion in Tennessee is something to watch for. Saleh – who is also in the running for other positions – will also take part in an in-person interview, however. With a Hafley summit currently scheduled for Tuesday, the next few days will be critical in the case of the Titans.
Robert Saleh Could Emerge As Titans HC Finalist
Yesterday, the Titans began arranging second interviews for head coaching candidates. A trio of names emerged, but more will likely need to be added to the list. 
Kevin Stefanski was among the staffers Tennessee requested a foll0w-up interview with. However, his visit with Atlanta resulted in a deal being struck last night. Stefanski is thus off the market. The same could also be true of Jeff Hafley in short order. The current Packers defensive coordinator has increasingly been viewed as the frontrunner regarding the Dolphins’ HC opening.
The only other candidate to arrange a second interview with the Titans so far is Matt Nagy. That comes as no surprise, given the links between he and Mike Borgonzi stemming from their time together in Kansas City. Nagy is set to meet with Tennessee on Tuesday, and over the coming days the team’s group of finalists will no doubt come into focus. Another name to watch in that regard could be Robert Saleh.
The 49ers‘ defensive coordinator is seen as a “solid candidate” for Tennessee, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. Saleh is set to interview for the first time with the Titans today. San Francisco’s season ended last night, so Saleh will now turn his attention even further to the strong possibility of landing a second NFL head coaching gig. The 46-year-old led the Jets from 2021 though the first five weeks of the 2024 season.
Saleh returned to his previous role of guiding San Francisco’s defense this year, and his success in that capacity has once again made him a top HC option for many interested teams. Saleh has called plays during his second 49ers stint, something which was not the case when he served as a head coach in New York. As NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link), things will change in the event of a hire during this year’s cycle. Saleh plans to call plays on defense should he wind up taking charge of a team for the second time.
Borgonzi was not in place when Brian Callahan was hired in 2024, making this his first offseason running a head coaching search. The former Chiefs staffer has drawn strong reviews from candidates so far in the process, as noted by veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. Borgonzi is playing a lead role in the interviews of Nagy, Saleh and any other candidates who receive a look, although owner Amy Adams Strunk will once again have the final say on a hire.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/17/26
Here are today’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations for the rest of the divisional round of the playoffs:
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Nikola Kalinic
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Leki Fotu
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: S Tanner Ingle, LB Elias Neal
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: CB Alex Austin
- Elevated: RB D’Ernest Johnson, DT Leonard Taylor III
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: T Brandon Parker, DL Sebastian Valdez
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Velus Jones Jr.
Steelers Request HC Interview With 49ers OC Klay Kubiak
Klint Kubiak is one of the most popular names in this year’s hiring cycle. Now, his brother is starting to generate some interest. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Steelers have requested an interview with 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak for their head coaching vacancy.
Kubiak started his NFL coaching career in 2021, when he joined Kyle Shanahan‘s 49ers staff as a defensive quality control coach. He quickly earned a promotion to assistant quarterbacks coach, and after two years in that role, he was named the team’s offensive passing game specialist.
The 49ers operated without an offensive coordinator after Mike McDaniel left for the Dolphins in 2022. But with Shanahan deciding to shake up his staff last offseason, Kubiak earned a promotion to offensive coordinator.
The 49ers offense improved their points total in 2025 despite dealing with a number of injuries on offense. The team had to turn to backup QB Mac Jones for nearly half their games, with the signal-caller guiding the squad to a 5-3 record. Former first-round receiver Ricky Pearsall found himself in and out of the lineup, and tight end George Kittle missed a handful of games. Plus, the 49ers navigated the entire season without one of their highest-paid offensive weapons in Brandon Aiyuk.
Thanks to the surprising showing from the depleted 49ers offense, Kubiak is now generating interest from the Steelers for their head coaching vacancy. His father, Gary Kubiak, had multiple stints as an NFL head coach, while his brother, Klint Kubiak, has been connected to nearly every vacancy after guiding the Seahawks offense to one of the league’s top performances in 2025.
Now, Klay will garner his first HC interview, and he joins a growing list of candidates to replace Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh. While Kubiak doesn’t have the same resume as some of his competitors for the job, the Steelers haven’t been afraid of hiring inexperienced coaches in the past. Tomlin only served one season as a defensive coordinator before earning Pittsburgh’s HC job.
Kubiak is now the eighth coach to garner an interview request from the Steelers:
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interview requested
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Rumored candidate; staying at Notre Dame
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To interview 1/17
- Nate Scheelhaase, pass game coordinator (Rams): To interview 1/16
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
49ers Designate Fred Warner For Return
JANUARY 15: As expected, Warner will not play against the Seahawks. Shanahan confirmed (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) the 49ers will not activate the star linebacker from IR this week. Warner’s chance to return would come if San Francisco pulls an upset Saturday.
JANUARY 13: Fred Warner‘s lengthy onramp to a potential playoff cameo will pass a key mile marker Tuesday. Warner is returning to 49ers practice.
The 49ers are designating the All-Pro linebacker for return, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner notes. A reemergence in Saturday’s divisional-round game is not expected, per Wagoner, but a comeback for a potential NFC championship game is in play.
[RELATED: Injured Reserve Return Tracker]
Sidelined with a fractured and dislocated ankle since mid-October, Warner has made considerable progress. Rumblings about a potential return before season’s end surfaced soon after. As recently as early December, however, it was considered unlikely. Two weeks ago, however, the prospect of Warner coming back gained steam. He progressed to running on a side field last week, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows notes.
Snake-bitten by injuries yet again, the 49ers finished their wild-card win in Philadelphia down three first-team All-Pros. Nick Bosa has been out for months and is not coming back. George Kittle went down during the game with an Achilles tear; Kittle has already undergone surgery, per Kyle Shanahan. Warner has not played since Week 6. Still, the 49ers found a way to win, rallying behind Christian McCaffrey — who missed most of last season before returning in full force this year — and a returning Trent Williams to eliminate the defending champion Eagles.
The 49ers played the Eagles without others at linebacker. The team suited up for its wild-card assignment without starters Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune. Warner’s primary replacement, Bethune is out for the remainder of the season. Winters played all 17 regular-season games but missed the wild-card outing with an ankle injury. With Warner not set to come off IR until at least next week — should the 49ers pull an upset in Seattle — Winters’ status this week will be something to closely monitor. Garret Wallow, who began the season with the the Broncos, and Eric Kendricks — an 11th-year veteran who had committed to the 49ers in 2024 only to reconsider and join the Cowboys — played extensively Sunday and would be in line to do so again if Winters cannot go against the Seahawks.
Following Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman in becoming a perennial All-Pro as a San Francisco linebacker, Warner landed his second extension this offseason. The 49ers gave their dominant second-level defender a three-year, $63MM deal. As injuries have hounded the team in most years, Warner had been the constant, staying on the field and establishing a Hall of Fame-caliber resume by soaring to four All-Pro first teams. Warner, 29, had missed only one career game coming into this season. He played through a leg fracture in 2024. He will now attempt a return to action after a serious injury.
Dolphins Arrange HC Interviews With Jesse Minter, Robert Saleh
The Dolphins were recently among the teams to request an interview with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as well as 49ers DC Robert Saleh. Both in-demand staffers will speak with Miami. 
Minter and Saleh will conduct interviews with the Dolphins today, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Both will take place virtually, per NFL rules. Three other candidates have already interviewed once with Miami, and another will do so this weekend.
The Dolphins continue to widen their search for one of the eight remaining head coaching vacancies around the league (presuming John Harbaugh‘s Giants deal winds up being finalized as expected). Miami’s most recent process resulted in a highly-regarded Kyle Shanahan staffer taking over (Mike McDaniel). The team could wind up taking a similar route by hiring Saleh, who returned to San Francisco in 2025 following the end of his Jets head coaching tenure.
Saleh’s unit has dealt with a slew of injuries this season but it has helped bring the 49ers to the divisional round of the playoffs. San Francisco’s D-coordinator from 2017-20 during his first stint with the team, Saleh would provide the Dolphins or any other suitor with an experienced presence on the sidelines. The 46-year-old is also one of the top candidates to have served as a head coach at the NFL level.
Minter, meanwhile, has received an interview request from every team seeking a new head coach. That comes as little surprise, but it underscores the competition Miami could face in a potential bidding war for his services. The Dolphins’ opening was recently reported to be seen as less attractive than others around the league. It will be interesting to see if that impacts the choices made by some of the top candidates as they weigh their options.
A defensive coordinator with multiple college teams, Minter has held that role with the Chargers for the past two years. His success in that capacity has landed him firmly in the conversation to become a head coach during the 2026 hiring cycle. Quarterback uncertainty looms over the Dolphins right now, but Minter, 42, would primarily be tasked with overseeing the team’s defense in the event he were to land the HC gig.
Here is an updated look at Miami’s search:
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interview requested
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): To interview 1/19
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/14
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Rumored candidate
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To interview 1/15
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): To interview 1/15
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Kelvin Sheppard, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/13
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Rumored candidate
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/14/26
More teams signed players to reserve/futures deals on Wednesday:
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers
New Orleans Saints
- DE Myles Cole
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
- LS Cal Adomitis, DT Kyler Baugh, WR Cole Burgess, DE Anthony Goodlow, S Daequan Hardy, S Jack Henderson, DE K.J. Henry, RB Max Hurleman, G Steven Jones, RB Lew Nichols, WR John Rhys Plumlee, LB Julius Welschof, T Aiden Williams
San Francisco 49ers
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/14/26
Here’s are Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Brandon Hill
- Released: T Jaylon Thomas
New England Patriots
- Signed: DE Darrell Taylor
- Released: RB Elijah Mitchell
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: S Darrick Forrest, TE Hayden Rucci
- Released: WR Javon Baker
The Patriots added an experienced pass rusher to their taxi squad today. Taylor, a second-round pick for the Seahawks in 2020, racked up 21.5 sacks in his first three seasons of NFL ball, but he didn’t see the same success in his fourth year after getting traded to the Bears. Injuries would limit him in Chicago and Houston, where he signed following the expiration of his rookie deal, as he only appeared in four games with the Texans this season. He now arrives in New England as Mike Vrabel and Co. are making a strong playoff push after a surprising one-year turnaround.
49ers’ George Kittle Suffers Torn Achilles
Late in the first half of the 49ers wild-card matchup with the Eagles, tight end George Kittle went down with a non-contact injury and was carted off the field. Instant replays of the injury made speculation all but certain, and the team confirmed shortly after, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, that Kittle had officially torn his Achilles tendon. 
Kittle’s 2025 campaign was already a difficult one as he dealt with multiple injuries, and as it comes to an early end, that end threatens to ruin his 2026 season, as well. Coming fresh off a four-year, $76.4MM offseason extension, Kittle hit the ground running in the team’s season opener, quickly scoring San Francisco’s first touchdown of the year. In the third quarter of the game, though, Kittle left with a hamstring injury and would miss the next five games on injured reserve with hamstring injury.
Upon being activated from IR in Week 7, Kittle quickly returned to form, really catching fire from Week 10 on. His momentum hit a slight speed bump when an ankle injury disrupted a dominant performance in Indianapolis and forced him to sit out the 49ers penultimate game of the regular season. He was able to return for a Week 18 home loss to the Seahawks and looked primed to help his offense into the postseason.
Despite all the hardship he’s worked through this year, today’s soft tissue injury is the worst news he could’ve heard all season. Not only because Achilles tendon tears can take between nine months and a full year to recover, but also because the injury has come at nearly the latest possible point of the season.
Now, there are exceptions to the rule. There’s the famous Aaron Rodgers example, in which the former Jets quarterback attempted to return from the same injury after only three months. He was successfully activated from IR within the 18 weeks of the regular season, but New York held him out and did not let him return to the field that year. More recently, the Ravens saw safety Ar’Darius Washington tear his Achilles tendon in May. He, too, set his sights on a late-season return and was activated from IR seven months later.
If Kittle can replicate Washington’s recovery timeline, there’s a chance he may be able to return sometime during training camp and be available for the season opener. Otherwise, Kittle is likely to open the 2026 NFL season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and could miss the first month or so of next year. At the moment, though, it’s disappointment for San Francisco, whose 2025 campaign is not yet over. Injuries have defined this season for the 49ers, and Kittle’s torn Achilles is just the latest on the list for this resilient team.
49ers LT Trent Williams Intends To Play In WC Round
Trent Williams suffered a hamstring injury early in Week 17, beginning a tenuous recovery process. The 49ers’ left tackle plans on suiting up tomorrow, but his status is still uncertain. 
Williams sat out San Francisco’s regular-season finale. That came as little surprise and allowed for additional time to rest. Nevertheless, the 37-year-old is forcing the issue with respect to his recovery timeline by attempting to play in the wild-card round. Williams in unsure at this point if he will be able to finish Sunday’s contest.
“It’s always going to be a little bit — a little bit of a concern,” the 12-time Pro Bowler admitted (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “I mean, obviously I’m kind of pushing the limits on the time that’s required for it. So it will probably be in the back of my mind for a little bit. But once you get out there and the juices get flowing and adrenaline, I don’t think it should be a big problem.”
Williams’ status will of course be a main talking point leading up to the 49ers’ game against the Eagles. He is among the players listed as questionable going into Sunday. Losing Williams for some or all of the game would of course deal a notable blow to San Francisco’ O-line, a unit which has depended in large part on his availability and performances over the years.
After not practicing at all last week, Williams sat out Wednesday’s session. The 15-year veteran managed to practice on a limited basis for each of the next two days, however. He and the team will hope that proves sufficient for a full outing against Philadelphia’s defense tomorrow. If that does not prove to be the case, Austen Pleasants will be tasked with handling blindside duties.