Source: 49ers adding Matt Eberflus to defensive staff

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After saying goodbye to Robert Saleh and Gus Bradley in January, the San Francisco 49ers are adding one other skilled defensive coach to Kyle Shanahan’s staff.

A supply advised ESPN on Thursday that Shanahan is hiring former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus to the Niners’ defensive staff. No title has been made official, however the function is predicted to be related to the assistant head coach/protection job that Bradley held for San Francisco in 2025. NFL Network first reported Eberflus’ hiring.

After Chicago fired Eberflus throughout the 2024 season, he spent final yr because the Dallas Cowboys‘defensive coordinator earlier than he was let go in January. Eberflus has additionally beforehand labored because the Indianapolis Colts‘defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 earlier than touchdown in Chicago.

Earlier this offseason, the Niners employed former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator, filling the job vacated by Saleh’s departure to turn into head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Saleh took Bradey with him to Tennessee as his defensive coordinator.

Shanahan has, in recent times, taken to conserving an additional high-ranking defensive coach round to assist with varied tasks and recreation planning. In 2024, the Niners had Brandon Staley as a top-level defensive assistant to assist then coordinator Nick Sorensen after which added Bradley after bringing Saleh again final yr.