Replacing DeMeco Ryans might be the hardest, most important thing the 49ers will do this offseason. Their defensive coordinator for the last two years took a job as the Houston Texans’ head coach, leaving a gaping hole atop San Francisco’s No. 1-ranked defense.
While the 49ers’ defensive group is very talented, Ryans’ schematic brilliance and his leadership made him a fast riser in the NFL coaching ranks. They also made him perhaps the NFL’s best defensive coordinator in his first year on the job.
