49ers lose defensive assistant to the Green Bay Packers; impact on the defense.

Daniel Bullocks is poised to depart the San Francisco 49ers for the Green Bay Packers, marking another major shift on San Francisco’s defensive staff after Robert Saleh left for Tennessee and Raheem Morris was hired as defensive coordinator. Bullocks’ likely move was signaled as the Packers are expected to hire him, though his exact role with Green Bay remains unspecified.

The change follows Bullocks’ removal from the 49ers’ official coaching staff page, which sparked speculation among fans. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Green Bay is set to add Bullocks, a nine-year veteran of San Francisco who previously interviewed for the defensive coordinator job in 2024.

This personnel turnover underscores the broader defensive coaching changes within the Kyle Shanahan era, as Morris is likely to bring in his own assistants and reshape the unit’s identity ahead of the 2026 season.

Bullocks has been with the 49ers since 2017, initially serving as assistant defensive backs coach before being promoted to safeties coach in 2019—a role he has held through multiple defensive staff transitions.

Before joining San Francisco, Bullocks spent a year as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ assistant defensive backs coach in 2016. A Nebraska product, he starred at safety from 2001-05, earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2005, and was a 2006 second-round pick by the Detroit Lions, where he played four seasons.

Bullocks’ career arc—from Nebraska standout to NFL safety to longtime NFL coach—highlights the evolving nature of the league’s coaching carousel as teams position themselves for success in 2026. This report originated from Heavy Sports and reflects the ongoing movement across NFL staffs this offseason.