Jets Set To Hire Steve Wilks As Defensive Coordinator

The New York Jets have agreed to terms with Steve Wilks as their new defensive coordinator, according to Tom Pelissero.

Steve Wilks

Wilks interviewed for the head coaching job at North Carolina and has since been interviewed by the Colts and Falcons for their defensive coordinator positions.

Wilks, 55, began his NFL coaching career with the Bears as their defensive backs coach back in 2006. He spent two years with the Chargers before following Ron Rivera to Carolina as their defensive backs coach.

The Panthers promoted him to assistant head coach in 2015 and then to defensive coordinator after Sean McDermott took the Billsโ€™ job. Wilks agreed to become the Cardinalsโ€™ head coach in 2018 but he was fired after one season.

Wilks took over as the Brownsโ€™ defensive coordinator in 2019. He was not retained in 2020 under a new staff, though he interviewed for the DC position. Wilks had a stint with Missouri as their defensive coordinator before returning to the NFL with the Panthers as their secondary coach.

However, he was promoted to interim head coach following the firing of Matt Rhule in 2022. The 49ers would later hire him as their defensive coordinator for the 2023 season before firing him this past February.  

In 2023, the 49ers defense ranked No. 2 in fewest yards allowed, No. 3 in fewest points allowed, No. 3 in fewest rushing yards allowed, and No. 4 in fewest passing yards allowed.

Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?

Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on X.com and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!

Leave a Reply