Robert Saleh Thankful for Time With 49ers Leading Into Jets Season Opener

When the New York Jets open up the 2024 regular season against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, it will mark the return of many players to the Bay Area.

Whether it's Aaron Rodgers' return to the place he essentially grew up, Breece Hall taking on his college quarterback, or many former 49er players returning to the team they once were on, the current Jets have been built in the image of San Fran.

That includes their coaching staff.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh and a majority of the team's coaching staff served on Kyle Shanahan's coaching staff in San Francisco from 2017-2020.

He helped build San Francisco's defense to become one of the best in the league - something he's been able to do since becoming the Jets head coach starting in 2021.

It was his work with the 49ers, though, that gave Saleh his chance as a head coach.

“I’ll forever be indebted to the Shanahan family,” Saleh said. “Papa Shanahan, who had a tremendous influence on me. Kyle obviously, challenged me every day to look outside the box, John (Lynch) and his tutelage. I mean, it’s just an elite organization of the York family and the way they operate day-to-day. I think it’s a class organization and I’m forever indebted to them.”

Related: Saleh Reveals Mike Williams Status For Week 1

As Saleh prepares to take on the Shanahan family Monday night, the Jets know that their contest will be a homecoming of such for most in the organization.