As every fan is aware by now, the San Francisco 49ers are in the playoffs for the third consecutive year, but it doesn’t mean they are immune to instability inside their coaching staff.
or at their reception area.
Here is the most recent information along with some potential consequences if defensive coordinator Steve Wilks or assistant general manager Adam Peters accept jobs elsewhere during this hiring cycle.
• For the past few years, 49ers supporters have been working under the assumption—or perhaps under the delusional belief—that Peters was the team’s future general manager.
The notion that Peters will eventually succeed John Lynch appeared to be reinforced when Lynch’s title changed in November to president of football operations and when Peters declined GM interview chances at Arizona and Tennessee last year.
But the multiyear contract extension the 49ers announced in September included the new title, which amounted to an acknowledgement of all the president-like duties Lynch does. However, he continues to oversee the personnel department and perform all of the responsibilities of a general manager, and there are no signs that this will alter anytime soon.
This week, when Peters traveled to Miami to speak with Josh Harris, the new owner of the Washington Commanders, regarding a potential position in the
Permission to interview Peters for their general manager positions has also been requested by the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.
• Should Peters depart, what would become of the 49ers front office? Martin Mayhew, the general manager of Washington and one of Lynch’s closest aides in San Francisco from 2017 to 2018, may be fired if the Commanders decide to recruit him. Mayhew may rejoin the 49ers in a capacity akin to assistant general manager.
Along with coach Brandon Staley, Lynch enjoyed a cordial relationship with former Chargers general manager Tom Telesco, who was dismissed last month after the Chargers lost to the Raiders 63-21. Telesco would provide expertise to the 49ers front office, much like Mayhew did.
The 49ers could offer RJ Gillen and/or Tariq Ahmad more positions if they choose to remain in-house. Gillen is the director of pro personnel, and Ahmad is the director of college scouting. They may be the modern equivalent of Peters and Mayhew, Lynch’s principal aides upon his arrival in 2017.
• In related news, Wilks will do a virtual interview with the Chargers later this week to fill the head-coaching post.
Would Wilks bring an assistant from the 49ers to manage his offense if he were to accept that position or another head coaching position? The Houston Texans, who hired 49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik and former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as head coaches last year, had success with that recipe.
Seeing Fleury draw the run plays and Kyle Shanahan scribbling the throw plays during last year’s 49ers halftime activities was one of the discoveries.
But one significant change from the previous year to this one is that Ryans had gotten to know Slowik. In 2017, they served as defensive quality control coaches during their inaugural season with the 49ers. Later, Slowik switched to the attacking end of the court, where he would drill against Ryans. Naturally, Wilks recently concluded his inaugural regular season with San Francisco.
Although Shanahan said other teams had expressed interest unofficially, Wilks has only been officially requested by the Chargers thus far.
Shanahan stated, “I know there are a lot more people interested because I get a lot of phone calls.” However, you must follow the procedure of formally asking for an interview. So far, all I have received is that from the Chargers.
It wouldn’t be shocking if the Commanders submitted a formal request for Wilks if Peters is hired as the General Manager in Washington.
• Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of Michigan, may possibly be considering the Chargers. According to league insiders, Harbaugh would actually prefer the Chargers over other teams since they are similar to the underperforming but seasoned squad he took over in San Francisco in 2011.
In the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers, who hadn’t had a winning record since 2002, went into overtime.
