The San Francisco 49ers searched for a new defensive coordinator for seventeen days.
Considering how long it took them, it’s possible that they decided to use an outside candidate for the job. As it happens, their new defensive coordinator had been inside the building the entire time. Nick Sorensen, the 49ers’ coordinator of the defensive passing game, was elevated to the position of defensive play caller.
For the 49ers, hiring from within was always the best option. Having joined the team in 2022, Sorensen has worked closely with the linebackers for a significant amount of his tenure. Kyle Shanahan felt that the defense was inconsistent when it came to connecting the pass rush to the coverage, so he should be well-prepared for that.
On the other hand, it is difficult to predict how Sorensen will do because he has never called plays before. However, I think there are a few hints and signals on what Sorensen might anticipate in his debut season as the 49ers defensive coordinator. To begin with, there’s always the possibility that he struggles for a portion of the season. Indeed, it ought to be made clear already, in my opinion.
It never seemed like Steve Wilks was let to have such a run of unsatisfactory performances. He required the 49ers defense to perform at a high standard each and every time out. At least Sorensen is not an external appointment and has the flexibility of being a first-time play caller. The players will undoubtedly have his back, and I think Shanahan will too, since they won’t start to turn him the way they did with Wilks.
Regarding playcalling and scheme, I believe the 49ers defense will resemble that of Robert Saleh’s squad more so than that of DeMeco Ryans’. That implies giving zone coverage more of a focus and allowing your front four to get to the quarterback. Because Sorensen played with the Seattle Seahawks, just like Saleh, he is probably more Saleh than Ryans.
The distinction is that Saleh was employed by Seattle from 2011 to 2013, whereas Sorensen was there from 2013 until 2020. Therefore, Sorensen is probably going to go closer to the cover 3/zone heavy coverage that the legendary Seahawks defense employed. Still, I wouldn’t rule out any wrinkling or alterations of his own.
I believe Sorensen will employ the blitzes and defensive line twists/stunts that were so successful under Ryans, while also drawing on Saleh’s management style of the 49ers defense. Not because he would call a lot of cover 0 blitzes, but rather because they were so simple and unoriginal, Wilks was such a disaster. The blitzes were always under Ryan’s control, so there were never any surprises.
After working under Ryans for a year, maybe Sorensen will see how effective that was and apply it once more to his defensive plans. Shanahan won’t think twice about Sorensen doing that, I’m sure.