San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner didn't hide his excitement for the return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, but there were things he didn't say that illustrate what Saleh's return means for the 49ers' defense.

Reflecting on Robert Saleh's time with the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars' Arik Armstead explains what made him an effective coach

Saleh, who was fired in October as the New York Jets head coach five games into his fourth season, generated interest on the head-coaching front and was seen as one of the frontrunners for the Jacksonville Jaguars job. He also interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

Robert Saleh cannot personally create turnovers, rush the passer or stop the run. His return as the 49ers’ D-coordinator is no guarantee of success.

Later on Thursday, then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen had a change of heart, the Jacksonville Jaguars quickly moved to hire him as head coach and Saleh, who told Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch that he’d return to the 49ers if he didn’t get a head-coaching job, stayed true to his promise.

The San Francisco 49ers have long established their strong defensive identity, and with Robert Saleh back at the helm

Tony Pauline says he has spoken to 49ers assistant coaches at the Shrine Bowl practices about these upcoming changes.

Robert Saleh’s encore as 49ers defensive coordinator took on more likelihood as the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders hired others to fill their head coach vacancies.

The San Francisco 49ers’ most important defensive players are excited for the return of Robert Saleh. Both linebacker Fred Warner and defensive lineman Nick Bosa were in Orlando, Florida, for the Pro Bowl.

Fred Warner is among several San Francisco 49ers players in Orlando, Florida, this week for the Pro Bowl festivities. NBC Sports Bay Area caught up with the star linebacker for the first time since the team hired Robert Saleh to replace Nick Sorensen as defensive coordinator.