The 49ers could be in danger of losing two key members of their coaching staff.
It’s no secret that DeMeco Ryans, one of the hottest coaching candidates in this cycle, could depart. It was announced Thursday that the Carolina Panthers hired former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich for their opening, but Ryans has interviewed with all four of the remaining teams.
The most likely destination, if he does leave? The Denver Broncos.
Per Broncos reporter Mike Klis of 9NEWS — and some not so subtle rumblings from Broncos reporter Benjamin Allbright at KOA Colorado — Ryans “appears to be the frontrunner” for the Denver job.
Klis said Ryans seems to be a “top choice” for the Broncos, but that a second interview would have to wait until after the NFC Championship.
He adds that the Houston Texans are “also coveting” Ryans as their next head coach, and that Ryans “cancelled his interviews and essentially withdrew from consideration with the Cardinals and Colts.”
It makes his future a bit more straightforward, at least in terms of possible destinations.
Ryans, though, isn’t the only one who might depart.
Per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, the Commanders requested to interview 49ers assistant head coach/running backs coach Anthony Lynn.
It’s a clever title that is by design. While it reflects Lynn’s — the former Chargers head coach — substantial role with the 49ers, he is not a coordinator, and is thus able to interview for coordinator positions.
Washington, despite is tempestuous history with Kyle Shanahan, is helmed by general manager Martin Mayhew, the 49ers’ former vice president of player personnel.
If both were to leave, the 49ers would be due compensatory third-round draft picks. The team is already due compensatory third-round picks in 2023 and 2024 from the Tennessee Titans’ hiring of Ran Carthon (held the same role as Mayhew) as their general manager.
