49ers Take Swift Action: Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks Fired After Super Bowl Loss; Pursuit of New Leader, Brandon Staley, Underway
Less than 72 hours following their defeat in Super Bowl LVIII to the Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers terminated the contract of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Despite the impressive statistical performance of San Francisco’s defense, cracks had appeared in what was considered the NFL’s top defense in 2022.
The search for a new defensive coordinator has commenced, with reports from ProFootballTalk, via Dov Kleiman, suggesting that the team may pursue former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.
People around the league think the #49ers will end up making former #Chargers HC Brandon Staley their next defensive coordinator, per @ProFootballTalk
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/0JZPca9ckn
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 15, 2024
Staley’s tenure with the Chargers ended after two seasons and some change, culminating in a humiliating 63-21 defeat in Week 15. Despite a .500 record overall, his playoff run was marred by a collapse from a significant lead to a loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round.
While Staley’s Chargers teams struggled defensively, his previous role as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay in 2020 showcased his ability to lead a dominant defensive unit, leading in several defensive categories.
The San Francisco 49ers still possess one of the most talented squads in the NFL, particularly on defense, featuring standout players such as Nick Bosa, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Fred Warner, Charvarius Ward, and Javon Hargrave.
However, linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s Achilles tear during the Super Bowl will likely keep him sidelined for months, and star safety Talanoa Hufanga’s return remains uncertain following his ACL tear in Week 11. Nevertheless, with the talent at hand, the 49ers seek to find the right defensive coordinator to reassemble their formidable defensive force.
