Rising star cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was a crucial player for the 49ers’ defense during the 2023 NFL season, particularly with his outstanding performance in the slot. However, in a surprising move, the 24-year-old spent nearly the entire duration of San Francisco’s Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs lined up on the outside—a tactical decision that may have cost the 49ers their shot at the title.
Lenoir recently opened up about the situation on “The Richard Sherman Podcast,” revealing that he had approached former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after a thorough film study, hoping to position himself where he could make the most impact in the game.
“I talked to [Steve] Wilks before the game, sharing what I was seeing,” Lenoir explained to Sherman. “I watch a lot of film, and I noticed the Chiefs were targeting the middle of the field, focusing on their slot receivers. They didn’t have a dominant outside guy, so I felt I should be in the slot for this game.”
Despite Lenoir’s recommendation, Wilks decided to stick with his original game plan, keeping Lenoir on the outside. As the game unfolded, San Francisco’s secondary struggled to contain Kansas City’s passing attack over the middle, leading to a heartbreaking loss. Lenoir emphasized that this was the only time he had ever offered such a suggestion, and even though it wasn’t implemented, he remained committed to following the coaches’ instructions.
“I’ve never questioned a coach’s decisions,” Lenoir said. “That was the only time I approached them with my thoughts. They had their strategy, and I respected that. I just rolled with it and did my best to help us win.”
Lenoir’s commitment to the team was evident in his performance, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory. The game ultimately slipped away in overtime when Chiefs slot receiver Mecole Hardman broke free for the game-winning touchdown—a play where Lenoir’s presence in the slot might have made a difference. Despite playing at least 30 snaps as a slot cornerback in each of San Francisco’s five previous games, Lenoir lined up inside on just two of his 78 defensive snaps during the Super Bowl.
Wilks was fired less than a week after the Super Bowl defeat, leading to speculation about how much his defensive game plan on the sport’s biggest stage influenced San Francisco’s decision to part ways with him after just one season.
Earlier this week, Lenoir expressed frustration over the 49ers’ defensive struggles under Wilks, particularly their inability to close out games.
“I feel like it was all about finishing,” Lenoir said after Monday’s training camp practice. “In the games we lost, we didn’t start fast, but more importantly, we didn’t finish strong. If we had just kept our foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, we’d be Super Bowl champions.”
Despite the disappointment, Lenoir remains optimistic about the future under new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen and assistant head coach Brandon Staley.
“Oh yeah, for sure,” Lenoir said confidently. “They’re always on us about the little things and those small details that make a big difference.”
With renewed focus and leadership, Lenoir believes the 49ers can address the issues that held them back last season and finally capture the championship that has eluded them.
