Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh Press Conference

Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh

Press Conference – October 16, 2025

San Francisco 49ers

What did you see from both LB Tatum Bethune and LB Dee Winters during Sunday’s game?

“I thought they did a good job. They were running around hitting. Obviously there was a couple plays we wish we could have had back. But overall, for Tatum, I think he did a nice job and I think it’ll be even better this week after having an entire week of practice.”

Tatum was saying it’s important for him to be himself and not try to be LB Fred Warner. What’s Tatum’s leadership style like?

“I think comparing people is always dangerous, right? Or trying to find parallels. Fred’s his own man. Just like when Fred took over, God, when was it, in 2018? He was after having a string of [former 49ers LB] NaVorro Bowman and [former 49ers LB] Patrick Willis, it’s Tatum’s opportunity to go run the defense and run the show. Tatum just needs to be Tatum. He doesn’t have to make any plays that are spectacular. He just needs to make his play. As he gets reps and he gets comfortable, a lot of people have got to remember, he’s only in his second year, you can really call him a rookie because he didn’t get much playing time last year. He’s just got to bank these reps, see the game, and again, the more he gets reps, the more he sees, the faster he will get.”

With how close you are to Fred, and the fact that he’s never hurt, has never been that guy, how has this one hit you?

“For Fred, he’s a Hall of Famer first ballot, period. He still has so many more years left in the tank. For this season to end the way it did, just shameful. But at the same time, I know if we all know Fred, he’s probably gunning to see if he can make it back for a playoff run. So, he’s in great spirits. Surgery went great. He’s going to be around the building, I’m sure he’ll be here the entire time, but I hurt more for Fred than anything else.”

I have a few questions. One about Fred. How challenging is it to make sure that the defense doesn’t drop off with someone like him not out there? Then the other, Tatum Bethune, what is it that you saw in him that solidified him in your mind as the next man up to field this position in Fred’s absence?

“First off, with Tatum, Fred didn’t practice throughout OTAs, so he had a lot of banked reps with the ones throughout OTAs which is actually a benefit at this point. But, Tatum’s made of the right stuff. He works the right way, he communicates the right way, he does things the right way, he’s very confident in his ability. I’ve said this to a million people as it pertains to drop off, I dare any of you to go to Tatum and say, ‘well, you’re a backup.’ Tatum doesn’t see that. His teammates don’t see that. Every player in that locker room believes that they can start and they can play at a high level. They just need an opportunity to do so. This is now Tatum’s opportunity and the growth that he’ll experience between now and game 17 is going to be significant. I can promise that. I’m excited to see him grow throughout this process.”

What makes someone a good fit to play middle linebacker in your defense?

“Their ability to communicate. We’ve kind of narrowed it down. Back when I first got in the League, the SAM backer was like 240, long and set the edge. The WILL linebacker was kind of small and fast, and the MIKE linebacker was kind of in between. I believe it was 2019 when we shifted the profile to just, they’re all the same guy. Whoever speaks and communicates the best is the MIKE linebacker. So, in this case, Tatum is next up.”

You guys have made some clutch plays on defense to finish off some wins, but are you racking your brain trying to figure out how to get more production out of the pass rush and the secondary?

“We’re always, it’s been obviously frustrating because I feel like we’ve had our opportunities to get some hands on some footballs and get some interceptions. It feels like one of those years. But, they come in bunches. As far as the pass rush and coverages are concerned, we’re always trying to find ways to do it. Thought we did a good job for the most part against Tampa. You know, we had the third-and-14, and [Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB] Baker’s [Mayfield] been doing it to everybody getting out of the pocket. We picked up a sack. But to answer your question, we’re always trying to find ways for sure.”

Going back to Tampa, can you explain what happened on the play where you didn’t have the right defense end in?

“Yeah. From a communication standpoint, between special teams and getting guys out on the field, like I said, shameful that it happened that way from a communication standpoint. So, I’m always going to beat myself up off that because that starts with me.”

Your young defenders played really well. I thought in the second half there were some busts. How do you get them to play loose and fast, that all gas, no breaks but then still leaving attention to the details so you don’t have those busts?

“The speed at which you want them to play is go. I don’t care. Go fast. If you’re going to make a mistake, go fast doing it. The detail comes with reps. So, with these young guys, the last thing you want to do is cripple them. The beauty of them is that they’re explosive, they’re fast, they’re hungry and it’s a race to be the first of the ball. So, you don’t want to pull back on that. To answer the first part, it is full-go, 100-percent. You just stay on the details and just keep coaching it and coaching it and coaching it. Eventually, all the little things that are happening from a mistake standpoint that cost you, whether they cost you touchdowns or explosive plays like a couple did in the in the game, you trust that if they just keep the mindset, keep that full-speed mentality and stay attention to details, eventually those will cancel out.”

I have a follow up to the rookies. A lot has been expected of them this whole time. Do you have to caution them in some ways to not press when guys like Fred and DL Nick Bosa are gone to try not to do too much and kind of keep on their path?

“I don’t think they know any better. They’re just going out there and playing the game as best they can. A lot of times they’re just playing off of pure physical ability. There’s a lot of things happening mentally that they’re still unaware of. I can get into a whole dissertation as to why the second-year slump happens, because now they think they know and they lock themselves up and they forget why they were so good as rookies. They’re just out there playing. So, like I said, there are going to be mistakes. They’re going to gain some scars, but as long as they’re getting those scars at a hundred miles an hour, you trust that eventually they’ll learn and maintain their speed while executing at a very high level.”

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about S Jason Pinnock and the difference in snaps in Week 6 versus the weeks prior. He mentioned that S Ji’Ayir Brown kind of earned that role. What did you see each week from Ji’Ayir when he was taking more snaps in special teams that helped him to thrust himself back into that position?

“Ji’Ayir has been consistent. To be clear, that spot’s not dead. The one thing I’ll say is that [S] Malik [Mustapha] is starting. As we continue to build up his rep count to get him to where he needs to be from a conditioning standpoint, although he’s conditioned. But, as Malik transitions into getting every single snap, that is the one common denominator in that he’ll be starting. On the other side, Tig has done a really nice job throughout training camp and throughout the first three weeks of the season, giving himself the ability to step in there and earn the trust of his teammates and his coaches. Now he’s got an opportunity to shut the door at that free safety spot. It’s nothing against [S Marques] Sigle or Pinnock, they’ve both done a really nice job. It’s just giving him an opportunity and eventually as we develop that group, we’ll find the right combination of guys to compete well.”

Beyond the obvious talent of the running backs, what has made the Atlanta ground game so successful?

“Yeah, their O-Line is arguably one of the better ones in football. Very talented group. I think they’re very well coached. They’re doing a really nice job creating issues in the run game, creating lanes and creating space. The backs, obviously both of them are outstanding. They’re different style runners, but they’re both outstanding. They do a great job scheming it up. So all-encompassing, the receivers block, their O-Line is pretty damn good and their backs are special. Then you’ve got to respect the quarterback because he is able to off-play action pass, make you pay, and the receivers can make you pay in the pass game. So, they’ve done a really good job building it. They’ve done a great job coaching it and the players are doing an outstanding job executing it.”

Does Atlanta Falcons TE Charlie Woerner stick out to you as a blocking tight end?

“He’s doing a lot. He kind of feels like, I don’t want to say exactly the same as [FB Kyle Juszczyk] Juice, but he does a lot for them. Whether it’s in the backfield as an extra running back to allow [Atlanta Falcons RB] Bijan [Robinson] to be a receiver in third down, whether it’s a lead fullback, whether it’s getting out on pass routes, whatever it is, whatever there is that they’re asking him to do, he does it and he does that at pretty high level. So, he’s been impressive.”

What does it take to defend a guy like Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London and the quick game? It seems like they’re going to him in the quick game. Why is that so hard to defend?

“He’s such a big body. He’s a massive man with great length, strong at the catchpoint and just strong overall. At the catchpoint, his hands are strong. So, he’s a difficult matchup.”

Fred Warner’s leadership obviously is very strong. Part of it was speaking after the game to the team. Does that carry over and does it linger? Does it continue on even in his absence?

“Yeah, because I think he’ll be around the locker room. I texted him the other day. I was like, ‘you ain’t dead. You can still hang out and grab a cup of coffee and shoot the shit.’ But no, he’s Fred and Fred’s special. Like I said, it’s unfortunate, but it’s someone else’s time. It’s their opportunity and really looking forward to seeing all these guys grow in their roles.”

Your special teams will have a lot to do with it, but is there an opportunity for LB Nick Martin now that there’s a spot?

“Yeah. Nick has had a great week of practice so far. It’s only been two days. Hopefully he finishes it off strong tomorrow, but I thought today was outstanding without looking at the tape. Flashed in one-on-ones, flashed on special teams and he flashed in on team defense. So again, continue to grow, continue to find ways to get better and see if he can carve out a role for himself.”