Being a new defensive coordinator for a playoff contending team like the 49ers places pressure on the shoulders of Nick Sorensen, but how hefty of a burden is it?
Insurmountable pressure has rested on the shoulders of the San Francisco 49ers for the last few years.
The combination of their talent and coaching staff has made them an automatic pencil in for the playoffs yearly. It will be that way once again when they enter the 2024 season, especially since most of the team is similar to 2023.
However, one major change the 49ers made was at defensive coordinator. The 49ers fired Steve Wilks in favor of promoting defensive pass game coordinator Nick Sorensen. It was an interesting change considering the defense wasn’t really an issue last season.
But Kyle Shanahan would prefer to have a coordinator he trusts and doesn’t have to micromanage. The main concern with Sorensen is that he is green. He has never called plays before and, despite being an internal hire, has only been with the 49ers for two seasons. Regardless, the 49ers are expected to field a dominant defense and an improved one from last year.
Because of that, Sorensen will face a deal of pressure, but how much pressure is he starting down?
Given how the 49ers are in “win now” mode with an amazing defense, Sorensen is staring down a ton of pressure. There is a reason the 49ers brought in Brandon Staley to be an assistant coach. If Sorensen goes through a long stretch of the season where he is struggling, then I can see Sorensen’s play calling duties either being shared or relinquished.
The 49ers were quick to bring Wilks down from the booth when the defense went through their struggles and it wasn’t even for a long stretch. Sorensen I believe will have a longer leash, but he mustn’t be of that mindset. He has to have the defense looking dominant as they are accustomed to all these years.
The one thing I’ll say about Sorensen that he has going for him is that he surely has the backing of the defensive players. So, if he does go through a rough stretch, I don’t see them taking sideways remarks in their press conferences against him as they did on Wilks. If anything, I can see them coming to his defense.
So, while he has pressure to get the defense into prominence again, he does have some adequate leeway and it is thanks to the support of the players.
