San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been the subject of substantial criticism this week following a questionable decision during Monday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Wilks called a zero blitz against the Vikings in the closing seconds of the first half. Unfortunately, the results were disastrous. 49ers defenders failed to reach quarterback Kirk Cousins, who connected with wide receiver Jordan Addison on a deep pass. Cornerback Charvarius Ward contested the catch, but Addison ultimately won the battle and sprinted into the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown.
TAKEN AWAY BY ADDISON FOR THE 60-YARD SCORE 🔥
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— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2023
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Instead of going into halftime down by three, the 49ers trailed 16-7, ultimately losing the game 22-17.
"He knows he messed up on that call," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday. "... There was no necessary need for that, just because of the time. I have no problem with that play call, but when it's that time, you can't do that. That's not an option."
Wilks took to the podium on Thursday, speaking to the media for the first time since Monday night's game, and addressed the questionable play call.
"I take full responsibility for that call," Wilks said. "I have to do a better job and put the guys in a better position. We have good players. I know that, and can't really press the issue. And with that, moving forward, it's my responsibility to do that. So I wish I could take it back, but again, I got to do better."
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Ward came to his coach's defense on Wednesday, noting that the narrative this week would have been much different had the defensive back wrestled the football away from Addison.
"I feel like I played it good," Ward said via NBC Sports Bay Area. "I was in perfect position to make the play. Once coach calls the play, we got to go out and execute it. It doesn't matter whether he calls cover-1, cover-2, cover-3, cover-zero. If I'd picked that ball off, it would be a completely different story."
As far as the rest of the 49ers' defensive woes in recent weeks, Wilks praised the supporting cast around him, adding, "We're all in this together. I'm not hitting the panic button at all."