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What we learned in 2024: The 49ers need some consistency at defensive coordinator

Initially, this would have been about how Nick Sorensen should keep his spot as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator despite his shortcomings and the defense’s late-season collapse.

I would have defended this angle by mentioning how, yes, it looked rough, but that’s what happens when you place a first-time coordinator in such a high-profile spot as the defensive coordinator of the defending NFC champions. Even with the struggles, the first year would be used as a base to grow Sorensen, allowing him to team with Brandon Staley with time to develop into a better coordinator.

Kyle Shanahan didn’t reward Sorensen with that patience, removing the first-year defensive coordinator from his post last week.