The 49ers’ pass rush has gone from quiet to disruptive in a hurry.
After totaling just 20 sacks across all of last season, San Francisco already has 15 through six weeks this year. John Lynch pointed to a few reasons for the spike, starting with the way the new defensive setup has changed the picture up front.
“I think it’s a combination of a lot of things,” Lynch said on KNBR. “One thing I do notice, I think we’re playing a little more aggressive coverage. When you can get them to hold on, maybe pat the ball one more time, can those guys finish at the quarterback?
“I think you go get a guy like Osa [Odighizuwa] in the interior, the way he’s rushing. Keion White is playing big-time football.
He’s so versatile, he can play across the line. You mix in those young guys, we’ve got a lot of different options.
And Chris Kiffin, I think, is the best D-line coach in football. He continues to develop those guys.
He’s relentless in pushing them every day, and he never lacks any enthusiasm, but they love playing for him. Raheem’s done a fantastic job.
Our defense is really tied together right now.”
The personnel has mattered, too. The 49ers have gotten production from rookies Gracen Halton and Romello Height, while also navigating stretches without Nick Bosa, who has missed the last four games with a calf injury. They have also been mostly without 2025 first-round pick Mykell Williams, who returned in Week 5 after recovering from an ACL injury this past season.
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