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Bradley

NFL insider Jordan Schultz was first with the report. Bradley and new Titans head coach Robert Saleh both joined the 49ers last offseason and will now unite in Tennessee. Bradley served as a defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2024, overseeing operations for the Chargers, Raiders, and Colts over that span. A respected, veteran coach, Bradley, will not be tasked with play-calling duties, but will be a highly-valued voice in the room of a defense that finished 28th in points allowed and 21st in yards allowed last season.

The 49ers hired Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator earlier today, removing one high-profile candidate. Breer notes that either the Titans or Cardinals could hire Bradley as their next defensive coordinator, though the Cardinals’ ability to let Bradley call plays on defense gives them an “edge” over the Titans. He also notes that if the Titans miss out on Bradley, Falcons defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg is “a name to watch.”

Shanahan did say the team will cast a wide net in their search for Saleh’s replacement, but all signs point to Bradley taking over as defensive coordinator. Bradley joined the team a year ago as an assistant head coach after a three-year stint with the Colts. He has over a decade of experience as a DC in the NFL, spanning four teams. The 49ers ranked 13th in points allowed this year despite losing several key defenders to various injuries. Bradley has big shoes to fill with Saleh getting another shot at a head coaching gig, this time in Tennessee.

The long-time defensive coordinator and former Jaguars head coach now lands in the Bay Area after spending the last three seasons as the Colts defensive coordinator. Bradley has worked with current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh during stints in both Seattle and Jacksonville and will now have a chance to work with Saleh again this upcoming season. Bradley has had just one top 10 scoring defense in his last four seasons. His previous experience as a linebackers coach in the college ranks could hint at the type of role he’ll serve in this upcoming season.

Bradley’s three-year contract with the team ended this year, meaning he was not technically fired, although his defense’s performance down the stretch more than warranted it. The Colts allowed 25.1 points per game in 2024 while allowing the Broncos, Titans, Giants, and Jaguars to average 34.25 points per game over the final month of the regular season.

Fowler said Bradley, hired last February as the team’s defensive coordinator, was widely expected to keep the job despite the head coaching turnover. Pro Football Focus graded the Colts as the NFL’s 12th best run defense and the 15th best coverage unit in 2022. Indianapolis’ defense held up through much of the 2022 season despite its offense time and again putting the defense in unenviable positions. The Colts last year allowed the tenth lowest EPA per rush.

Bradley replaces Matt Eberflus, beating out ex-Jacksonville DC Joe Cullen, Tennessee senior assistant Jim Schwartz, and Washington DBs coach Chris Harris for the job. Las Vegas finished in the top half of the league in yards against but allowed the seven-most points with Bradley, who wasn’t retained under new coach Josh McDaniels. Bradley is expected to overhaul the Colts’ defensive staff with multiple coaches following Eberflus to Chicago.

Indy will also talk to Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt and Saints DBs coach Kris Richard early this week. This interview would seem to confirm Bradley will not be staying on with the Raiders under new coach Josh McDaniels. The Raiders were fine on defense in 2021, but Bradley would be an uninspiring replacement for Matt Eberflus.

Bradley was an assistant coach under Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay from 2006-08 before becoming a defensive coordinator with the Seahawks. Bradley then served as head coach of the Jaguars from 2013-16. Gruden said Monday that the Raiders want to keep their 4-3 defensive scheme, which Bradley uses. The Raiders fired former defensive coordinator Paul Guenther after late-game meltdowns from a defense that allowed 29.9 points per game, the third most in the league. The Raiders had the third lowest sack rate in the NFL this season. Bradley has work to do.

Bradley is still technically a member of the Chargers organization after coach Anthony Lynn was fired Monday, but that won’t last long. Bradley could get a courtesy interview for the top spot in Los Angeles, but he will undoubtedly be on the prowl for coordinator work. The Raiders fired DC Paul Guenther last month, with Rod Marinelli taking over on an interim basis. Bradley has been the Bolts’ DC since 2017 following his failed stint as Jaguars head coach.