Kyle Shanahan’s move to appoint an outsider to lead the San Francisco 49ers defense backfired last season when the unit regressed in 2023 under Steve Wilks. Despite reaching the Super Bowl, the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs due to defensive faltering in an overtime defeat. Following this, Shanahan swiftly replaced Wilks with Nick Sorensen, a former assistant familiar with the team’s defensive style, aiming to revamp the defense.

The 49ers are among nine playoff teams from the previous season introducing new play-callers for offense, defense, or both in 2024. The Philadelphia Eagles, for instance, made changes due to subpar performance. Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore have been appointed as coordinators for the Eagles. Several other playoff teams have also welcomed new play-callers for the upcoming season.

In San Francisco, Nick Sorensen, a former NFL safety, is taking the reins of the defense. Sorensen, known for his work on pass coverage and turnovers, has gained the trust of key players, showcasing promise for the team. Across the league, other impactful new play-callers include Kellen Moore for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeff Hafley for the Green Bay Packers, Mike Zimmer for the Dallas Cowboys, Arthur Smith for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Zach Orr for the Baltimore Ravens.

Each new coordinator brings unique strategies to their teams, aiming to elevate performance and adapt to the challenges of the upcoming season. With fresh faces at the helm of various teams, the 2024 NFL season promises to be an intriguing and competitive one.