Shanahan addresses Wilks’ future as 49ers DC after up-and-down season

SANTA CLARA — Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks appears to be in line to return for his second season on the job, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan intimated on Tuesday. When asked directly whether Wilks will remain in charge of the 49ers' defense, Shanahan answered, "I haven't talked to anybody yet, so, yeah, I expect all our coaches to be back." The 49ers' defense had an up-and-down season under Wilks, whom Shanahan hired last offseason. Wilks became available after the Carolina Panthers hired since-fired Frank Reich as head coach following Wilks' successful stint as the team's interim head coach to end the 2022 NFL season. During the bye week that came with the 49ers earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, Wilks interviewed for head-coaching positions with the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers. Those jobs went to Raheem Morris and Jim Harbaugh, respectively. The 49ers ranked third in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 17.5 points per game. The 49ers were eighth-best in yards allowed at 303.9 total yards per game. They were the only team in the NFL to have more interceptions (22) than touchdown passes allowed (20). "I thought they were one of the reasons that we got...