For the third offseason in a row, the San Francisco 49ers are set to search for a new defensive coordinator.
Nick Sorensen will not be retained as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator following a 6-11 season, during which the team ranked 29th in points allowed. NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported the decision on Tuesday night.
While there is a possibility Sorensen could remain on the coaching staff, it will not be in the capacity of leading head coach Kyle Shanahan’s defense.
One prominent name that could surface as a potential replacement is Robert Saleh. Saleh, who served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, was recently let go as the New York Jets’ head coach.
Sorensen initially stepped into the role of defensive coordinator after Steve Wilks’ dismissal—a move that sparked debate among fans and analysts. Wilks had been instrumental in helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl and was brought in during 2023 to replace DeMeco Ryans, who left to become the head coach of the Houston Texans.
While parting ways with Wilks raised eyebrows, Sorensen’s departure as DC comes as little surprise after the struggles of the 2024 season.
The 49ers, who entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, were plagued by injuries to key defensive players such as Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and others. The team faltered as the season progressed, losing seven of their final eight games. During that stretch, they allowed over 30 points in four contests and gave up more than 40 points in the last two matchups.
Their ranking of 29th in points allowed marked the worst defensive performance for the franchise since finishing last in 2016.
Sorensen, 46, has been part of the 49ers’ coaching staff since 2022, starting as a defensive assistant. He was promoted to defensive passing game specialist in 2023 and became the defensive coordinator in 2024. While he may return in a different role, head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will now begin the process of finding a new leader for their defense.
