San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks during a news conference after the 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 30-23 in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
49ers Are Reportedly Close To Naming A New DC
The San Francisco 49ers have some work to do this offseason after losing in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs in heartbreaking fashion.
They need to make a decision on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who led them in receptions and receiving yards, as he will be in the final year of his contract in 2024 and needs to either get an extension or perhaps get traded.
But the most pressing matter right now for the 49ers is hiring a new defensive coordinator after they fired Steve Wilks recently.
Tim Kawakami, a longtime NFL journalist who is with The Athletic, tweeted that he has heard they’re about to decide on who will be their next defensive coordinator.
Hear the 49ers might be closing in on a DC. Not sure when there’ll be an announcement, but could be soon.
Wilks was in his first year as a defensive coordinator for San Francisco in 2023.
In 2022, the Niners were the best team in the NFL with a fearsome pass rush, and although their defensive numbers were strong this season, something was lacking.
Their pass rush was seemingly missing in action, and during the playoffs, they had trouble stopping the run.
When it mattered most, the Niners couldn’t contain Patrick Mahomes, who ran the football himself during a do-or-die fourth down in overtime, while also allowing star tight end Travis Kelce to feast in the second half after holding him in check prior to halftime.
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Some fans are hoping that Bill Belichick, the former longtime New England Patriots head coach, will accept the Niners’ defensive coordinator role, but that seems extremely unlikely for more than one reason.
