Chargers HC Rumors: 49ers' Steve Wilks, Lions' Ben Johnson Among Interview Requests

The Los Angeles Chargers have begun their quest to find a replacement for former head coach Brandon Staley.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Chargers have requested to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for their head coach vacancy. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added that the team also requested interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, plus Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has received an interview request as well.

In his first year as 49ers defensive coordinator, Wilks presided over a unit that ranked third in the NFL with 17.5 points allowed and eighth with 303.9 yards allowed per game. San Francisco excelled at stopping the run with an average of 89.7 yards allowed, one of just three teams to allow less than 90 rushing yards per game.

Wilks took over as interim head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2022 following the firing of Matt Rhule. He went 6-6 to end the season, but he closed out the year with four wins in the team's final six games. He also previously served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, making him the only candidate who has previous head coaching experience.

Johnson has been a coveted head coaching candidate for quite some time. Both he and Glenn helped spearhead the Lions' rebuild, as the team went 12-5 to win its first division title since 1993. Detroit ranked third in total offense (394.8 ypg) and second in rushing defense (88.8 ypg).

After spending three years on the Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff, Monken returned to the NFL this year to lead the Ravens offense. His scheme worked wonders for star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is the favorite to take home NFL MVP honors.

The Chargers are hoping to find the right person to take over a team that disappointingly went 5-12 this season.