DC Candidates with Saleh Gone | Page 5

OnTheClock · 2026-01-20T04:36:37-08:00

There were too many openings, he was as good as gone. At least he went to the AFC. Obvious choice to me for continuity is Jim Schwartz. Raheem Morris if they tweak the system, he'll never get another HC job. Flores is a maybe. He's good but just another guy who could leave quickly. Gus Bradley should only be a last resort and hopefully that's why they brought him in, thinking we'd at least have someone if we made a deeper run and everyone else was gone. I think he johns Saleh if he's not selected.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:06 AM

#61

Lott42
Veteran
Posts: 25

Originally posted by fropwns:
Ya know....didn't we bring up Demeco a bit earlier than expected to be the DC? KJ Wright might be the next dude.

Wright played and coached under Bradley.
Hopefully Bradley is here to feed Shanny info regarding the upcoming teams defense in preparation for upcoming games and was always going to be a middle man.
And maybe Wright was always the next guy.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:08 AM

#62

fropwns
The Last Fronin
Posts: 28,018

Originally posted by IGSXIII:
They've given second interviews to a number of candidates, and now that McDermott is available, I fully expect his name to be thrown into the mix, given they have a history of interest in him.

Schwartz also has coached D there for a couple of years and is loved by the players. Things can always change, of course. If you get a guy you want, say a McDermott, then Schwartz opens up. The thing that comes to my mind is that the Browns D has been pretty good under Schwartz, while the rest of the team stinks.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:09 AM

#63

fropwns
The Last Fronin
Posts: 28,018

Originally posted by Lott42:
Wright played and coached under Bradley.
Hopefully Bradley is here to feed Shanny info regarding the upcoming teams defense in preparation for upcoming games and was always going to be a middle man.
And maybe Wright was always the next guy.

Uncle Sherm loves him some KJ Wright.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:10 AM

#64

father49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,500

Originally posted by Lott42:

Originally posted by fropwns:
Ya know....didn't we bring up Demeco a bit earlier than expected to be the DC? KJ Wright might be the next dude.

Wright played and coached under Bradley.
Hopefully Bradley is here to feed Shanny info regarding the upcoming teams defense in preparation for upcoming games and was always going to be a middle man.
And maybe Wright was always the next guy.

Yes, I think that's a likely scenario. I'm not sure that Bradley would still want the toil of a DC job. KJ hasn't had much coaching spotlight so it'll be difficult to us fans to gauge if he has the chops.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:23 AM

#65

BP13
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Posts: 7,982

looks like Raheem Morris is the front runner for and predicted to be the Packers defensive coordinator

I'm down with at least considering KJ Wright. YOLO

[ Edited by BP13 on Jan 20, 2026 at 10:25 AM ]

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:27 AM

#66

DrEll
Veteran
Posts: 12,138

Originally posted by father49er:

Originally posted by Lott42:

Originally posted by fropwns:
Ya know....didn't we bring up Demeco a bit earlier than expected to be the DC? KJ Wright might be the next dude.

Wright played and coached under Bradley.
Hopefully Bradley is here to feed Shanny info regarding the upcoming teams defense in preparation for upcoming games and was always going to be a middle man.
And maybe Wright was always the next guy.

Yes, I think that's a likely scenario. I'm not sure that Bradley would still want the toil of a DC job. KJ hasn't had much coaching spotlight so it'll be difficult to us fans to gauge if he has the chops.

KJ will follow in that Saleh / Bradley mold of calling defenses. This team needs a more aggressive mindset on defense. This bend don't break BS needs to stop. We need our players to go after guys like Seattle. Speed and aggression! Jim Schwartz !

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:30 AM

#67

lamontb
Veteran
Posts: 33,571

This a good spot fo Saleh. Got a young qb and a clean slate. Hope he does well. I'm out on KJ Wright or Bradley getting the job. Go get Schwartz. If not 'd rather them bring in some fresh eyes.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:31 AM

#68

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 119,527

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
I just feel like Gus is super vanilla in his play calling. He had some quality defenses in LA under Lynn (after the Seattle yrs) but it's been s**t after that. We might as well hire Wade Phillips if we're gonna look back to 2019 as his last good DC job.

Schwartz makes the most sense based on what he runs and that being Kyle's favorite scheme. Smooth transition. Philly had a good defense when he was there all the same. Jim is still under contract though.

Flores gonna be a HC imo. Wouldn't hate seeing him mix it up. I've been saying Morris as DC for a while. He runs a ton of C3 as well. I think he's just a good football coach in general.

There's no shot that Shanahan sees Bradley's vanilla ass and thinks he can match up with McVay. I find it so hard to believe. Bradley calls defenses like he's still got the 2012 Seahawks' defense personnel playing ofr him.

Would be a massive failure. I wonder if there's anyone in Seattle or on the Texans worth looking into. I mean McDonald calls the plays in Seattle. I wouldn't hate a young refreshing mind with some juice.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:33 AM

#69

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 119,527

Originally posted by BP13:
looks like Raheem Morris is the front runner for and predicted to be the Packers defensive coordinator

I'm down with at least considering KJ Wright. YOLO

Where you hear that?

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:34 AM

#70

dwy621
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Posts: 1,087

Who are the coaches under the Vic Fangio coaching tree? I'd like to go that direction.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:36 AM

#71

BP13
Veteran
Posts: 7,982

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by BP13:
looks like Raheem Morris is the front runner for and predicted to be the Packers defensive coordinator

I'm down with at least considering KJ Wright. YOLO

Where you hear that?

https://packerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2026/01/19/raheem-morris-expected-to-be-top-candidate-for-packers-open-dc-job/88258634007/

Lots of similar articles if googled. Not a done deal or anything, but just a prediction. Lafleur and Raheem Morris are good friends also, and go way back

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:36 AM

#72

lamontb
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Posts: 33,571

I wouldn't mind Raheem at all

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:36 AM

#73

Phoenix49ers
Veteran
Posts: 132,842

Originally posted by dwy621:
Who are the coaches under the Vic Fangio coaching tree? I'd like to go that direction.

Brandon Staley.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:38 AM

#74

IGSXIII
Veteran
Posts: 2,648

Originally posted by dwy621:
Who are the coaches under the Vic Fangio coaching tree? I'd like to go that direction.

Jan 20, 2026 at 10:38 AM

#75

DaleGribble
Veteran
Posts: 4,147

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by DaleGribble:

Originally posted by Brucey72:

Originally posted by DrEll:
Matt Barrows thinks this is Gus Bradley's job. He says the Niners hired Gus with the thought of Saleh left they wouldn't be in a Wilks/Sorenson position.

Its not a bad hire. Not a great hire but is expected. I honestly don't really see much drop off from Saleh besides his intensity
They'll be significant drop off Saleh to Bradley.

When Saleh left to take the Jets job in 2021 the Niners still didn't fall apart. Bosa was DPOY in 2022 and they went to a SB in 2023. They allowed the fewest points in 2022 and were 3rd in 2023, Also top 10 in yards allowed in both years.

It's not just about the coaches. If you have the right players you can still win.

And they had Ryans in place,how bad did the Defense fall off under Wilkes and Sorensen?