San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers’ secretive defensive coordinator search may be nearing an end, with one outcome potentially growing more likely.

Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday that there is a belief in NFL circles that Shanahan and the 49ers plan to fill the opening with an internal hire. However, the secretive nature of the search does leave open several other possibilities.

We do not know who the 49ers have interviewed, if anyone, for their opening. There were rumors early in the process that they might target a former rival coach for the opening, but it is not clear if that has even been considered.

The 49ers are hunting for a new defensive coordinator after letting Steve Wilks go after one season

The team was excellent defensively in 2023, but Wilks and Shanahan appeared to have some philosophical differences, so perhaps it makes sense to stick to an internal hire.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Cardinals catcher's injury timeline revealed
Suns hire ex-NBA champion as new head coach
Frank Vogel fell victim to a Suns ownership group eager to win
Luka Doncic hands OKC first playoff loss with gutsy Game 2 effort
Three takeaways as Rangers take commanding 3-0 series lead on Hurricanes
Rams make surprising move with former team captain
Ohio State AD is wrong for thinking Michigan wins deserve asterisk
Padres OF Jurickson Profar is a legitimate MVP candidate
Steelers' Cameron Heyward comments on controversial Justin Fields idea
Pacers coach claims officials are biased against 'small market' teams
14-year-old phenom signs unprecedented MLS deal that includes future Man City transfer
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy's 'soured' relationship paints murky future for PGA Tour
Stars almost blow another lead, even series with Avalanche
Auburn's Hugh Freeze uncomfortable with 'bidding wars' for top players in transfer portal
Cavaliers punch back, blow out Celtics in Game 2
Coach: Oilers star center could miss Game 2 vs. Canucks
Watch: Cavaliers' Evan Mobley turns defense into offense in Game 2 vs. Celtics
Xander Schauffele tops stacked leaderboard after first round of Wells Fargo Championship
Suns talks with head-coaching target 'expected to move quickly'
Knicks get even more bad injury news ahead of Game 3