The 49ers reportedly tried to lure Steve Spagnuolo from Chiefs after Super Bowl
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And if you can’t join ‘em, try taking their defensive coordinator.
That apparently was the San Francisco 49ers’ philosophy following their 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the 49ers tried luring Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo from the Chiefs. Instead, Spagnuolo signed a contract extension three days after the Super Bowl.
“Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has received a huge amount of praise for his coaching performances that helped the Chiefs win another title. Though he recently signed a new contract to stay with the Chiefs, the 49ers were trying to land him, according to a league source,” Russini wrote.
San Francisco had the NFL’s third-ranked scoring offense and was No. 3 in rushing this past season. But the 49ers were held to 3.5 yards per rush attempt in Super Bowl LVII, and scored seven points fewer than their season average.
In the Chiefs’ 31-20 win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, San Francisco’s No. 2 scoring offense was held to 10 points below their season average.
It’s little wonder the Niners had their eye on Spagnuolo.
On the day the Chiefs handed Spagnuolo a new deal, the 49ers fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after one season with the team.
Having been spurned by Spagnuolo, the 49ers are going to hire defensive passing game/nickel cornerbacks coach Nick Sorensen as their new defensive coordinator, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
This story was originally published March 4, 2024 at 8:58 AM.
