Staley interviewed for the 49ers DC opening in 2024 after the team fired its previous DC Steve Wilks. The fit with Staley never made a ton of sense because of the significant schematic shift San Francisco would have to undergo.

When word came that Nick Sorensen would not return as the 49ers defensive coordinator in 2025, a move to another role with the team was mentioned as a possibility.

HC Kyle Shanahan mentioned the team making changes at defensive coordinator and said that Brandon Staley could be considered as an internal option.