Falcons announce completed interview with Robert Saleh

The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday night that they had completed an interview with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for their head coach position.

The Falcons are the first in a series of scheduled interviews for Saleh now that the 49ers’ season is over. He is also scheduled to interview the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Saleh has spent the past four years as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Despite many serious injuries to their defense this year, including Nick Bosa, Richard Sherman, Solomon Thomas and others, the 49ers still managed to finish the year as the league’s fifth ranked unit in total defense. They were fourth in passing yards allowed and tied for seventh in the rush.

The interview with the Falcons took place virtually. Candidates from teams whose seasons have ended are allowed to meet in person, but Saleh’s talks with the Falcons have taken place by video call.

The Falcons also conducted an interview with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy earlier Monday, also practically as the Chiefs are in the playoffs.