A possible candidate for the 49ers’ own defensive coordinator search is now unavailable.
The San Francisco 49ers’ candidate pool for defensive coordinator may have one less option.
The Atlanta Falcons announced they are hiring Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator.
Ulbrich just finished a stint as interim head coach of the New York Jets after Robert Saleh was let go midway into the 2024 season. Ulbrich was seen as a potential favorite for the position. However, there hasn’t been much news on interviews or where he was compared to the 49ers’ top choice: His former boss, Robert Saleh.
This doesn’t help the 49ers if they need to restart the search. They have pushed all their chips in on Saleh’s return as defensive coordinator. Unfortunately, Saleh is still interviewing for other head coaching positions before he makes a decision.
Ulbrich could have been a possible Plan B if Saleh didn’t work out, but the Falcons have eliminated that option. The 49ers have interviewed Detroit Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend and could consider in-house candidates like Brandon Staley.
Regarding NFL head coaching vacancies, the Lions lost the NFC Divisional to the Washington Commanders. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is hirable since the Lions are out of the playoffs. Johnson is seen as one of the top head coaching picks in this cycle, so a team locking him up (like the Jacksonville Jaguars) means one less team Robert Saleh could join.
Regardless, the 49ers are playing a very dangerous game, pinning their hopes and dreams on Saleh. While they wait for teams—or Saleh— to make head coaching decisions, other possible alternatives to defensive coordinator could become unavailable.