Chiefs DBs coach ripped 49ers offense before interviewing for their DC job

Things are a bit awkward right now in San Francisco.

Days after the 49ers interviewed Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt for their open defensive coordinator position, a video surfaced of Merritt putting the 49ers on blast for firing former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after losing Super Bowl LVIII to the Chiefs nearly three weeks ago.

“If your offense is going 3-for-12 on third down, is that Wilks’ fault?” Merritt asked during a recent appearance on “The Sports Shop” radio show. “If your tight end, who’s All-Pro, Kittle, only has one catch for four yards, is that Wilks’ fault? … [Aiyuk] only had like 40-something yards, was that Wilk’s fault? So, I can say there was something going on before this all went down.”

Merritt was the DBs coach on Wilks’ staff in 2018 when he was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, so his defense of the recently fired coordinator may be a bit personal.

It’s unknown whether the 49ers knew of Merritt’s comments, which took place on Feb. 22, before interviewing him. But given his scathing review of San Francisco’s offensive game plan in the Super Bowl, it’s safe to assume it’s unlikely Merritt gets offered the 49ers defensive coordinator job.