What Steve Wilks Wants the 49ers Defense to Accomplish in 2023
Taking over an already elite 49ers defense should be easy work for new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
However, that does not mean he isn't going to set a standard and send a clear message to his defense. The last thing Wilks wants is any grown content or complacency from his players. On the last day of 49ers minicamp, Wilks shared what the goals are for the 49ers to accomplish in 2023.
"Well, number one, one of our goals we talked about trying to lead the league in the least explosive plays," said Wilks. "I think we gave up too many last year, so hopefully you don't see that, the fastest and quickest way to win a game is through the air. As great as those guys may be playing up front, we have to make sure we secure things on the backend. We don't want to give up explosive plays, that's number one. And two, we have to make more plays on the football, interceptions and then find a way to get in the end zone with those.”
Wilks is a bit exaggerate with the explosive plays allowed by the 49ers defense last year, but it is definitely an area that could still be improved on. In the second half of the season, Talanoa Hufanga was the main culprit for such plays. Deommodore Lenoir was susceptible to it as well until he found his rythym in the last third of the season. Even Charvarius Ward at the end of the season started getting picked on a bit.
Since Wilks' strength on defense lies with the secondary, it makes sense why he is harping on that. He doesn't want that unit to think it can cakewalk just because it has one of the best pass rushing units in the league. The secondary has to hold up its end as well and I think it will get that done this year with relative ease.
The second part that Wilks references is interceptions, which is laughable and definitely something a coach who is defensive-backs-oriented would say. Wilks wants the 49ers to be better with reeling in interceptions, but they were tied for the most in the league last year with 20. This just goes to show that Wilks thinks there was more to be had and that he is holding the secondary to a higher standard when it comes to playmaking, especially with being able to score when it happens.
2023 should be the year where the secondary of the 49ers puts it all together.
