San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is garnering some interest around the NFL. It was initially reported that the Minnesota Vikings would interview him for their head coaching vacancy this past Wednesday. However, while speaking with reporters before Wednesday's practice, Ryans said that interview had not yet taken place.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Vikings will interview Ryans on Sunday, the day after the 49ers play the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Schefter adds another team to the mix, saying that the Las Vegas Raiders are also interested in interviewing the 49ers coordinator for their head coaching vacancy.
49ers' defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is scheduled to interview with the Vikings on Sunday and the Raiders also are planning to interview him as well, per sources.
Ryans' D faces the offense of Packers' OC Nathaniel Hackett, who is up for Vikings, Broncos and Jags' HC jobs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2022
"Yeah, interview with the Vikings, we'll handle that over the next couple of days," Ryans said. "We'll get that handled, but the main focus right now for me is just all on the Packers. And that's where I am right now, just all on the Packers and how can we play our best versus the Packers to get a win?"
Ryans is in his first year as the 49ers defensive coordinator. He took over following the departure of Robert Saleh, who left San Francisco last year to become the head coach of the New York Jets.
Ryans previously served as the team's linebackers coach from 2018-2020 and started his time on Shanahan's staff as a defensive quality control coach in 2017.
The 49ers defense ranked No. 3 in total yards allowed, No. 6 in passing yards allowed, No. 7 in rushing yards allowed, and No. 10 in points allowed this season.