The San Francisco 49ers tried to steal Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spanuolo after Super Bowl 58.
A report came out this weekend that the San Francisco 49ers contacted Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo about leading their defensive staff after their loss in Super Bowl 58. Spagnuolo signed an extension with the Kansas City Chiefs five days after their Super Bowl win.
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“Though he recently signed a new contract to stay with the Chiefs, the 49ers were trying to land him, according to a league source. After parting ways with Steve Wilks, the 49ers plan to promote Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator. League sources confirmed that the team is expected to hire former Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley as assistant head coach. ESPN first reported the news of those moves.” According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic
San Francisco Defensive Coordinator Situation
Quickly after the Super Bowl, Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers released their Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks from his duties. Shanahan had previously stated in an interview that he thought most staff would return. Quickly after, Wilks was let go.
Since then, the San Francisco 49ers have been on the hunt for a DC.
Steve Spagnuolo Extension
According to NFL.com “Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who became first coordinator with four Super Bowl victories on Sunday (Feb. 11th), has signed a contract extension with Kansas City, the team announced on Wednesday (Feb. 14th) ahead of its Super Bowl parade.
Spagnuolo, 64, has guided a vastly improved Chiefs defense since 2019, which coincided with the Chiefs’ run of three Super Bowl championships in five years. His work with this past season’s unit, which ranked second in points and yards allowed and held the San Francisco 49ers’ offense down late in K.C.’s 25-22 overtime win in Super Bowl LVIII, put him in the discussion of being one of the best coordinators in league history.”
It would make sense for anyone to want to go after Steve Spagnuolo after the impressive run that he has made. Some say he may be the best defensive coordinator ever within the NFL.
Spagnuolo has four Super Bowl titles, all as a defensive coordinator. Kansas City was the second-ranked defense in points allowed all season long, and their playoff run was even more impressive.
“A bully of a defense has surged in the postseason, its 13.7 PPG in the playoffs marking the fourth-lowest since 2000 by a team that reached the Super Bowl, behind only the 2000 Ravens, 2002 Bucs and 2013 “Legion of Boom” Seahawks.” According to NFL.com
Next In-Line for 49ers Defense
According to multiple reports, Nick Sorensen, the 49ers’ defensive pass game specialist and nickel cornerbacks coach, has been promoted to oversee the defense. He replaces Steve Wilks, fired on Feb. 14 after only one season in charge.
Sorensen joined the 49ers after spending the 2021 season as the special teams coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Meanwhile, Brandon Staley, former head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, will join Kyle Shanahan’s staff as assistant head coach. He will replace Anthony Lynn, who left the 49ers to join the Washington Commanders as their run game coordinator and running backs coach.
Brandon Staely was fired from his role during the season. Some saw Staley joining the 49ers role before the hiring due to his connection with Shanahan and Sean McVay.
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