49ers’ defensive coordinator to interview for Vikings’ head coaching job Wednesday, per report

49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is preparing to face the Packers on Saturday at Lambeau Field, but Green Bay isn’t the only NFC North team that’s on his mind this week.

Ryans, 37, will spend part of Wednesday interviewing for the head coaching position with the Minnesota Vikings, according to a report from Sports Illustrated. The interview will take place over Zoom.

Ryans is in his first season as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan as he was promoted from inside the organization to replace Robert Saleh, who left the role to become the head coach of the New York Jets last offseason. The former NFL linebacker is in his fourth year with the organization as he previously served as the team’s inside linebackers coach before replacing Saleh.

The Vikings fired head coach Mike Zimmer after Minnesota finished 8-9 this season.

Minnesota is also looking for a new general manager and has announced via Twitter that it has conducted interviews with Eagles Vice President of Football Operations Catherine Raîche and Eagles Director of Player Personnel Brandon Brown within the last 48 hours.

Under Ryans’ lead, the 49ers’ defense ranked third in yards allowed this season with an average of 310.0 yards per game and tied for ninth in points allowed with 21.5 per game. Ryans benefitted from having one of the NFL’s best pass rushers in Nick Bosa starring along his defensive front, but has had to scheme around a shaky secondary that lost veteran cornerback Jason Verrett to a season-ending ACL injury during the first week of the season.

Ryans received widespread praise for his work in crafting a successful game plan against the Dallas Cowboys as his unit helped the 49ers emerge as the only road team to win a playoff game during Wild Card Weekend.

If Ryans finds a way to shut down All-Pro Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams this week, it’s likely his head coaching stock will continue to rise, giving him more interviews to balance next week against prepping for the NFC Championship Game.