Yes, Nolan is dealing with some talent issues on defense. Fine. But he makes mistakes that have nothing to do with talent.
Let's start with how he gets conservative when he has a team in a 1st or 2nd and long situation. He seems content to just give up 7-9 yards easily to prevent an opposing team from getting a first down. Today, I believe, we had the Skins in 2nd and 19, and the defense played a really soft zone, they picked up 11 yards and made it a more manageable 3rd down. And this happens weekly.
And his blitz designs are so mundane. I watched LVE blitz, twice I believe, where all he does is just run straight into the heart of the OL. Smith did it as well. Nolan just seems to think throw an extra guy at the OL and someone will break free.
The sad thing is he's going to be here for at least another season or two. And he's going to influence the talent acquisition process as well. People better prepare themselves for a leat two more years of mediocre to bad defense here.