NFL insider reveals what 49ers really thought about Steve Wilks' one-season run as defensive coordinator

The San Francisco 49ers did not waste any time in making a coaching change following their narrow defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.

A mere three days after they came up just short in the biggest game of the season, the 49ers announced that they parted ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. The longtime defensive-minded coach was brought just a year ago to replace DeMeco Ryans, who left the organization to fill the Houston Texans’ head coaching vacancy.

On paper, one could make the case that the 49ers were the most well-rounded defense in all of the NFL this past season. The 49ers ranked in the top five in multiple defensive stats in the regular season, from points per game allowed (17.5) to passer rating allowed (79.6).

From within the 49ers organization, not everyone bought into Wilks’ work as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted in a notebook column that from his standpoint, Wilks was on "shaky ground" heading into Super Bowl 58.

Breer added that "there was some belief" within the 49ers that the Wilks-led defense "hadn’t reached its potential in the regular season," and it was all "only validated" following the team’s dramatic playoff wins against the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions.

The 49ers did not make it easy on themselves against the Packers and the Lions, having allowed a combined 772 total yards over the two contests.

The 49ers are now on the search for a new defensive coordinator for the second consecutive year.