Robert Saleh parlayed his time as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator into the head coaching job with the Jets. After he was fired Tuesday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about his reaction to the news.

“I texted him, but I haven’t been able to talk to him,” Shanahan told reporters. “And yes, I was quite shocked. That stuff puts you off, especially when they’re fighting for first place in the division this week and I think they’re top on defense and have a pretty good team and have a chance to have a great year. So that was quite surprising.”

Defensively, the Jets did very well. Offensively, not so much. But that was not Saleh’s domain. And he was in the process of taking over from quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ friend, Nathaniel Hackett.

The whole thing makes no sense other than the fact that the Jets were the ones who did it. And it won’t be a surprise if they make the playoffs with Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator.

However, it won’t be easy. The defense has lost the benefit of both Saleh and Ulbrich, and Ulbrich will now be distracted by coaching responsibilities.

And while Saleh reportedly won’t coach anywhere else this year, he becomes a candidate to rejoin the 49ers as defensive coordinator in 2025 — if Shanahan decides another change at that job is warranted.