Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans' stock is rising, especially after helping knock off the top-seeded Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field this past weekend. Even though he is a first-year coordinator, Ryans is a candidate for multiple NFL head-coaching vacancies.
The Minnesota Vikings interviewed him on Sunday. The Las Vegas Raiders are also interested. That interview, however, probably won't come this week. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Raiders are willing to wait until after Sunday's NFC Championship Game matchup between Ryans' 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
"That was the working expectation after Ryans' interview with Vikings on Sunday. Las Vegas not in [a] major rush," Fowler tweeted out on Monday morning.
With the 49ers in the thick of NFC title game prep, defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans' interview with the Raiders will likely be after Sunday's game vs. the Rams. That was the working expectation after Ryans' interview with Vikings on Sunday. Las Vegas not in major rush
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 24, 2022
That will keep the interview from becoming a distraction for Ryans as he and his team prepare to play their biggest game of the last two seasons. The 49ers are one win away from returning to the Super Bowl, potentially their second appearance in three years. Ryans' defense is a big reason the team is in this position.
The 49ers defense allowed just 17 points to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round and just 10 to the Packers on Saturday night. The unit finished the regular season 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.