Steve Wilks Fired as 49ers DC After NFL Super Bowl 58 Loss to Chiefs

The fallout from the San Francisco 49ers’ overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII officially began on Wednesday.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said during a conference call that he has fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

The decision to fire Wilks comes just one day after Shanahan declared to reporters, “I expect all our coaches to be back.”

Making Wilks the scapegoat for San Francisco’s disappointing Super Bowl loss is a curious decision, especially considering how well the team’s defense played for most of the game.

The 49ers held the Chiefs to three points in the first half, and Kansas City’s lone touchdown in regulation came after a muffed punt deep in San Francisco territory. The defense was also dealing with the loss of star linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles midway through the game.

Unfortunately, the wheels fell off for the 49ers when they allowed Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to lead the team down the field at the end of regulation to set up a game-tying field goal that forced overtime. After San Francisco ended its opening drive in the extra period with a field goal, Mahomes and company marched down the field once again to score the game-winning touchdown.

The 49ers defense ranked third in the league this season with 17.5 points allowed per game. However, that number ballooned to 25.7 points allowed in three postseason games.

Wilks is a respected defensive mind who has previous head coaching experience, so he should have the chance to land on another staff if he chooses to continue coaching in 2024.