Here we go again. If you’ve been following the San Francisco 49ers for the last few years, you know the drill: Have an elite defense, watch your defensive coordinator get hired as a head coach elsewhere, rinse, repeat. It’s the cost of doing business when you’re good, but man, does it get exhausting.
With Robert Saleh packing his bags for the AFC, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan is back on the hunt for a new defensive play-caller. And if the early interviews are any indication, Shanahan is looking for comfort food. He’s not scouring the college ranks for the next McVay-style wunderkind; he’s calling up guys who probably already have his Wi-Fi password.
According to reports, the 49ers have officially interviewed three candidates: Raheem Morris, Joe Woods, and Gus Bradley.
The “Getting the Gang Back Together” Vibe
First up, we have Morris. If you look at Shanahan’s contact list, Morris is probably near the top. They go way back. These two have been in the trenches together. Morris is coming off a stint as the Falcons’ head coach, where he went 8-9 in back-to-back seasons. Not spectacular, but the man knows defense.
The question is, does he want to step back into a coordinator role, or is he eyeing another top job? If he lands in Santa Clara, expect a lot of “remember when” stories in the coaching booth.
The Prodigal Son Returns?
Then there’s Woods. Remember him? He was the defensive backs coach during that magical 2019 Super Bowl run. Since leaving the 49ers, he’s been the DC for the Browns and Saints. He’s got a solid reputation, especially with secondary play, but there’s a sneaky suspicion here.
Is this interview for the Defensive Coordinator job, or is Shanahan trying to lure him back to fix the secondary if the DC job goes to someone else? In the NFL, interviews can sometimes be precursors to different job offers.
The Elephant in the Room: Gus Bradley
And finally, Bradley. If Vegas were taking odds, Bradley would be the heavy favorite. He’s already in the building as the associate head coach. He’s the safe pick. Hiring Bradley feels like ordering vanilla ice cream when there are 31 other flavors available. Sure, it’s reliable, but is it going to win you a championship?
Bradley represents the status quo. He’s the obvious internal candidate. But recently, Bradley made some comments suggesting Shanahan has a chance to “evolve” the defense.
What’s Next For the 49ers Defense?
This is a pivotal moment. The 49ers have had a revolving door at DC—Saleh, Ryans, Wilks, Sorensen. Four guys in four years. That kind of turnover usually kills a unit, but the talent on the roster has kept them afloat. The next hire needs to be more than just a placeholder; they need to bring stability.
Whether it’s Morris bringing the energy, Woods bringing the technical expertise, or Bradley bringing the continuity, Shanahan needs to get this right. The window is open, but it doesn’t stay open forever.
