Why the Players Will Choose the 49ers' Next Defensive Coordinator

For whatever reason, the 49ers players never seemed to buy into Steve Wilks as their defensive coordinator.

When they played hard, they were elite -- see the first four quarters of the Super Bowl. But they didn't always play hard -- see the first half of the NFC Championship Game and the three-game losing streak in the regular season. For the first time since Kyle Shanahan became the 49ers head coach, the effort on defense was inconsistent.

To be fair, the 49ers defense still gave up just 17.5 points per game under Wilks in 2023, up from 16.3 under DeMeco Ryans in 2022. So there wasn't much of a drop off statistically. But when Nick Bosa publicly threw Wilks under the bus after the Super Bowl by saying Wilks didn't prepare the defense for certain critical plays on the final drive, Wilks had to go.

Now the 49ers find themselves in a tough situation.

Can they bring in someone from outside the organization if they think he's the best man for the job? They tried that last year and it didn't work. Or do they just ask Bosa and Fred Warner which current assistant coach on the 49ers they would like to promote to defensive coordinator?

Some insiders have speculated that the 49ers could hire former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to be their defensive coordinator. Staley might be the best man for the job, but what if Joey Bosa doesn't like him? Joey played for Staley for three years and Staley was not successful. What if Joey tells Nick Bosa that Staley is no good? Would Bosa veto the hire? I think he might.

Don't be surprised if the 49ers promote someone already on the staff, someone who knows the veterans on the defense and gets along with them.