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San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 defensive pairings of all time

By Peter Panacy

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: #89 Marcedes Lewis of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by #52 Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL International Series game between San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: #89 Marcedes Lewis of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by #52 Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL International Series game between San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams runs against the drag of linebacker Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter on November 11, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The teams tied 24-24 in overtime. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams runs against the drag of linebacker Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter on November 11, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The teams tied 24-24 in overtime. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman

Recency bias might have a bit of a say here. But when one evaluates the pairing of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, there’s a strong argument to be made these two comprised the best linebacker tandem in NFL history.

Not just the 49ers.

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Willis was already an established name and perennial All-Pro when Bowman entered the scene in 2010. The following year, when Bowman solidified himself as a starter, these two would go on to emerge as one of the most dynamic forces in recent league history.

Between them, there are 10 Pro Bowls and eight first-team All-Pro selections. Willis ranks No. 1 in franchise history for solo tackles with 734. Bowman isn’t far behind, coming in fourth in that category with 527.

And those stout Niners defenses of the early 2010s simply wouldn’t have been the same without both players.

Unfortunately, injuries struck Willis and Bowman hard. Willis finally elected to call it a career in 2015, while Bowman’s gruesome knee injury during the 2014 NFL Championship game ultimately forced a decline in physical ability that ultimately led to San Francisco moving on from him in 2017.

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Fortunately, both players were able to retire with the 49ers. And by doing so, they’re fully cemented as the best defensive pairing in franchise history.