The 49ers have had four defensive coordinators in four years. They will have a fifth in five years after Robert Saleh left for the Titans’ head coaching job.
The team has Raheem Morris, Joe Woods and Gus Bradley for their vacancy, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s future is uncertain after he didn’t get the team’s head coaching job, so he could become a candidate for any team looking for a defensive coordinator.
The 49ers had DeMeco Ryans as their defensive coordinator in 2021-22 before he left to become the head coach of the Texans. Steve Wilks lasted only one season before his firing, and Nick Sorensen followed for only one season before he and the 49ers parted ways. The 49ers reunited with Saleh for the 2025 season after the Jets fired him as head coach.
Now, the defense will have another new leader.
Morris was the defensive coordinator of the Falcons (2020) and Rams (2021-23) before taking over as the Falcons’ head coach. He went 8-9 in each of his two seasons before his firing earlier this month.
Woods was defensive coordinator of the Broncos (2017-18), Browns (2020-22) and Saints (2023-24). He joined the Raiders in 2025 as the team’s pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Bradley was defensive coordinator of the Seahawks (2009-12), Chargers (2017-20), Raiders (2021) and Colts (2022-24). He was head coach of the Jaguars from 2013-16, going 14-48.
The Browns had a dilemma. Promote Jim Schwartz from defensive coordinator to head coach, or risk losing him.
They rolled the dice, hired Todd Monken, and now Schwartz wants out.
Via NFL Network, Schwartz was “visibly upset” when he learned that the job was going to Monken. Schwartz also reportedly told other coaches he’s not coming back.
Per the report, Schwartz anticipated being hired. He’d already told others that, if he didn’t get the job, he’d leave.
Schwartz is under contract through 2026. The Browns could play hardball, which would be the dysfunctional thing to do. It would also be dysfunctional to risk undermining Monken via the presence of Schwartz on the coaching staff. The locker room could have divided loyalties, with defensive players aligning behind Schwartz.
Frankly, Monken’s job is easier (or a little less difficult) if Schwartz isn’t there.
The 49ers have been mentioned as a potential destination. Other teams reportedly would be interested.
And for good reason. Schwartz ran the Eagles’ defense in 2017, when they won the Super Bowl. In 2023, his first year in Cleveland, the Browns had the top defense in the league. This year, the Browns finished second to the Texans, by an average of one yard allowed per game.
The Browns may be banking on the fact that the defense is driven by talent, not scheme, and that another coordinator could do as well as Schwartz. Right or wrong, it looks like they may be finding out.
49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak has removed himself from consideration for head coaching vacancies, Dianna Russini of TheAthletic.com reports.
He had interviewed with the Raiders and Steelers. Pittsburgh is nearing a deal with Mike McCarthy for its opening.
Kubiak is in his fifth season with the 49ers, his first as the team’s offensive coordinator. Although Kubiak doesn’t call the plays under head coach Kyle Shanahan, he is heavily involved in the game planning.
The 49ers were seventh in total yards and 10th in scoring this season.
Klay and Klint, the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator who also has been a head coaching candidate in this hiring cycle, are the sons of former Broncos and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. Gary Kubiak won Super Bowl 50 with Denver.
The Raiders have Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Klint Kubiak, Rams offensive coordinator Mike Lafleur, former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb among their candidates.
John Brodie, who played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers for 17 seasons, has died at the age of 90.
Brodie was a star on both the football and golf teams at Stanford, and even though the 49ers took him with the third overall pick in the 1957 NFL draft, he played on the PGA Tour and considered making golf his full-time pursuit before deciding to focus on football.
The 49ers were glad he did. After sharing time with Hall of Famer Y.A Tittle early in his career, he became the 49ers’ starter in 1961 after Tittle was traded to the Giants. Brodie was one of the best quarterbacks in football for the next decade and was named NFL Most Valuable Player in 1970.
Brodie retired from the NFL after the 1973 season and became both a football and golf analyst for NBC Sports. He also competed on the Senior PGA Tour and won an event in 1991.
“The 49ers family is saddened to learn of the passing of one of the franchise’s all-time great players, John Brodie,” 49ers owner John York said in a statement. “As a kid, my 49ers fandom began by watching John play quarterback on television. He displayed an incredible commitment towards his teammates and his support of the organization never wavered after his playing days. John became a dear friend of mine, and he will always be remembered as an important part of 49ers history. We express our deepest condolences to his wife, Sue, and the entire Brodie family.”
The Falcons’ search for a new General Manager is set to take several steps forward on Friday.
Albert Breer of SI.com reports that the team will hold four interviews with candidates for the position. Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, Eagles senior personnel director Joe Douglas, and Chiefs assistant GM Mike Bradway will all be meeting with the team.
Cunningham and Williams interviewed with the team for their president of football job before Matt Ryan was hired earlier this month.
The Falcons interviewed Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl and Texans assistant GM James Liipfert on Thursday. There have not been any reports of other candidates in the mix, so the team’s hire may be coming soon.
