It's only a matter of time before the man in charge of the NFL's best defense lands a head coaching job. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has the San Francisco 49ers defense ranked No. 1 in total yards allowed, points allowed, and rushing yards allowed. The unit is allowing 15.3 points per game this season, with that number being a stingy 12.1-point average over the team's eight-game win streak.
According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, Ryans is one of six initial names being discussed for the head coaching vacancy with the Denver Broncos. The team fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett after a 4-11 start to the 2022 season. On Sunday, the Broncos suffered an embarrassing 51-14 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams.
I'm told some initial names being discussed for the #Broncos head coach vacancy, per league source, include:
Dan Quinn
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 26, 2022
Darrell Bevell
Eric Bienemy
Sean Payton
Demeco Ryans
Shane Steichen
Most expect Ryans' name to be associated with all head coaching vacancies during the upcoming offseason. The defensive coordinator was a candidate for the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job this past offseason but declined a second interview to remain with the 49ers. The job eventually went to Kevin O'Connell, who has his Vikings positioned to earn the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Ryans was also linked to the Las Vegas Raiders' hunt for a new coach. That job went to Josh McDaniels.
Ryans is in his second season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, taking over after Robert Saleh left to become the head coach of the New York Jets. It seems unlikely that San Francisco will be able to hold onto Ryans as its defensive coordinator for a third season.