The San Francisco 49ers could be set to lose talent on their coaching staff and front office, according to multiple reports.
The first is Brandon Staley, who joined the 49ers as a defensive assistant and assistant head coach last season. But he didn't get the defensive coordinator job either of the last two seasons, and it appears he will in New Orleans.
Both Schefter and The Athletic's Mike Silver report that Staley is the "leading candidate" to join the Saints as Kellen Moore's defensive coordinator.
Late in the hiring cycle, after missing out on the 49ers' job, Staley's ability alone makes him a strong candidate. While he may never get a head coaching opportunity again, there's strong belief in his ability to coordinate a defense throughout the league.
It should also be noted that the 49ers, in addition to bringing Robert Saleh back, added former Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to their coaching ranks, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Bradley (the defensive coordinator) and Saleh (quality control) coached together in Seattle from 2011-12 and again in Jacksonville from 2014-16, where Bradley was head coach and Saleh coached linebackers before joining the 49ers.
Schefter also reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars, after dispatching with former 49ers GM Trent Baalke, will return to the 49ers front office talent pool. They'll interview Josh Williams, the 49ers' director of scouting and football operations.
San Francisco would receive two future third-round picks from the NFL's rules on hiring of diversity candidates if Williams were hired to the top job in Jacksonville.