The 49ers are shaking things up on the defensive end coming out of their bye week. Kyle Shanahan told reporters that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will call the defense from the sideline beginning on Sunday at Jacksonville.
“We're going to put him on the field this week. Something we've talked about for a little bit. I think there's pluses to it and minuses to it, but we'll see what we like about this week," Shanahan said before 49ers practice on Wednesday.
Shanahan weighed in on his thought process on the decision and why it was ultimately decided to have Wilks move.
“Just because of the some of the stuff you do in the box, all the advantages to it, which are great, but I kind of want him to be down and be near our players a little bit. They've had that more just with the linebacker communication in the past. I want him to be down there so he can talk to guys a little bit more.”
Shanahan was asked what his personal feeling was as a coach that had done both in his career.
“I love being in the box. I think that's the best spot. I feel like you guys would judge me too hard if I went up there. If it ever gets cold enough, I might be. I like a chair and a desk and a lot of stuff to write down and things like that. I had to do this for nine years before I got here. I was only in the box one year, my last year, so it was eight on the field before that. There's pluses and minuses to both, so you usually go with your preference.”