This is my fear as well. The Chargers defense was disastrous. Everyone clings to him being a good DC because he was DC for the Rams back in 2020 and they were one of the best defenses in the NFL at that time he was coordinator. But no one is contributing it to Aaron Donald. That guy single handedly dominated every game. You or I could've been play calling and ran a good defense with Donald at DT.
Everyone says he's just like DA, a better defensive coordinator then HC. But no one can answer to me why then the defensive play calling with the Chargers was so horrendous. The guy was always a step behind opposing offenses play calling. Not just in 2023, but in 2022 and 2021. I remember my thoughts whenever the Chiefs played the Chargers and it felt like the Chiefs offense considered the Chargers defense a bye week.
The simple fact that the niners wouldn't hire him as DC, but still found a defensive coaching position for him should speak volumes. They literally said "Na, you ain't going near that playbook".