49ers hire former Eagles player to their coaching staff

The San Francisco 49ers are hiring a former Philadelphia Eagles player to their coaching staff. The player is none other than former Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

Ryans, 32, will serve as a defensive quality control coach under new 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Ryans has been out of the NFL ever since the Eagles cut him last year in February. It’s not surprising to see Ryans get involved with coaching. He was always a well-liked leader on the field and in the locker room. Hence the “Mufasa” and “Captain” nicknames he held over his career.

The Eagles originally acquired Ryans in a trade with the Houston Texans in 2012. It was an exciting addition at the time due to how dreadful Eagles linebackers were towards the end of the Andy Reid era.

Ryans played in Philadelphia for four seasons. During that time, Ryans became a mentor to current beastly Eagles middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (the Simba to his Ryans’ Mufasa).

Ryans finished his NFL playing career with 735 tackles, 13.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and seven forced fumbles in 140 games played (139 starts).

Here’s wishing Ryans the best of luck in San Francisco. He was a good Eagle and I think he has the potential to be a good coach.

Former Eagles boss Chip Kelly once said he thinks Ryans will make a great head coach one day.