For contrast, look at the Vikings: when Kirk Cousins was injured, they immediately traded for Josh Dobbs, and while he’s obviously not an “elite” QB, he’s at least a competent QB who can run an offense. Contrast this to the Jets, who (as far as I know) did nothing when Rodgers was injured, and only signed Trevor Siemian due to media/fan pressure, and who hasn’t even been elevated off the practice squad.
Wasting an elite level defense for someone who is the worst starting QB for the 3rd year in a row makes no rational sense.
For the opposite viewpoint: The team does play hard for Saleh, and JD did have one of the best drafts ever in 2022, which immediately elevated the talent on the team. He also was able to finagle two first round picks for a slightly above average safety.
When you blow it on a top 3 qb, and the team doesn’t recover, the coach loses his job. Often the gm too.
The niners staff survived missing on their qb because they found another.
Saleh is like a lot of defensive coaches tho. His offense sucks. And he hasn’t hired a good oc yet.