By Jordan Long
The San Francisco 49ers ended the season with a Super Bowl loss in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs 25-22. San Francisco decided to make changes to their coaching staff firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after 1 season.
Wilks came to San Francisco after spending the 2022 season as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator and interim head coach. The 49ers were anticipating Wilks to improve this defense. In the regular season, Wilks’ defense was 8th in the league, allowing 303.9 yards per game. When it came to the passing game, teams averaged 214.2 yards per game 14th in the NFL. The rush defense was 3rd, giving up 89.7 yards per game. They even forced 28 turnovers. Looking at that, Wilks’ defense did their part which helped the 49ers end at 12-5 and the number 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
During the postseason, the defense struggled. In three playoff games, the 49ers permitted 409 yards per game. Teams found ways to beat the 49ers through the air averaging 259.7 yards per game. They couldn’t stop the run either, giving up 149.3 yards per game.
In the Super Bowl against Kansas City, Kansas City was able to gain 455 yards. Of those 325 were through the air. The 49ers couldn’t stop Kansas City from running the football as they totaled 130 rushing yards.
Following the game, 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan initially wasn’t going to make any modifications to the coaching staff. He had a change of heart, letting Wilks go. According to yahoosports.com, Shanahan said, “It just ended up being not the right fit. We felt pretty strongly that this was the decision that was best for our organization. Even though it was one I didn’t want to make, it was something that once I realized that a different direction was what’s best for our organization, it’s something that I have to do.”
Shanahan is wrong. Wilks’ defensive game plan is a large reason the 49ers had success. The results weren’t there in the Super Bowl, but without Wilks, who knows where this team would have been. It is possible they don’t even advance to the Super Bowl.
For Wilks, a franchise will hire him. He knows how to run a defense and make adjustments during games. The 49ers are foolish to let him go. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the defense take a step back with a new defensive coordinator.
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