Saleh’s firing by Jets shocks Shanahan, who praises 49ers DC Sorensen

Programming Note: Watch "49ers Now" with Matt Maiocco and Rod Brooks at 4 p.m. PT today from Santa Clara, streaming live on the NBC Sports app. Watch the show later on YouTube and Facebook. SANTA CLARA — The first two defensive coordinators under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan parlayed their successes into NFL head-coaching positions. But it was not always smooth sailing from the beginning for Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans. That is what first-year coordinator Nick Sorensen might be experiencing right now. The 49ers have seen their points allowed per game rise from 17.5 last season to 21.2 points in the first five games of the 2024 season. They're allowing 4 yards more per game over a year ago. Shanahan listed the reasons he believes Sorensen was the right choice as defensive coordinator. "I think Nick's doing a real good job," Shanahan said on Tuesday. "I've been impressed with him since the beginning. Each week I like how he handles the defensive staff. I like how he sets up the practices. I've liked his game plans. I like how he's calling it, so I'm real happy with him so far." Sorensen as the choice to replace Steve Wilks, whom Shanahan fired after one season, is not the only...