San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan looks on against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Chicago, on Sept. 11, 2022. There is no white smoke billowing out from Levi’s Stadium yet, but San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan seems to be closing in on his new defensive coordinator hire.

After firing Steve Wilks on Wednesday morning, Kyle Shanahan stated he would search both inside and beyond the San Francisco 49ers headquarters for a replacement defensive coordinator. Wilks had only been with the team for one season.

When Wilks moved here last year, he faced two obstacles. He was asked to mentor a scheme that he had never used before. Additionally, he has experience with cornerbacks, although the 49ers’ defensive scheme prioritises the front seven players.