Falcons complete interview with Steve Wilks to open up their defensive coordinator

The Falcons have completed a virtual interview with Steve Wilks for the defensive coordinator position, the team announced Friday afternoon.

Wilkes most recently served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2023 and has 16 years of NFL coaching experience.

Before arriving in San Francisco, Wilkes was the Panthers’ defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach in 2022 and was the interim coach for the final 12 games that season. The Panthers were 6-6 in his tenure as head coach.

As the Cardinals’ coach in 2018, he went 3-13. The Falcons also completed interviews with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown, Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. They requested an interview with Packers defensive passing game coordinator Derek Ansley.