Raheem Morris Takes Over As 49ers Defensive Coordinator For 2026

The San Francisco 49ers are once again shaking up their coaching ranks, announcing the hiring of Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator for the 2026 NFL season. The move, confirmed on February 1, 2026, marks the fifth consecutive year the 49ers have appointed a new leader for their defense—a carousel that has become all too familiar for fans and players alike. Morris replaces Robert Saleh, who departed after just one season to take the reins as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, continuing a pattern of short-lived tenures at one of the NFL’s most scrutinized coordinator positions.

Morris brings with him a wealth of experience and a reputation for adaptability, having previously served as head coach of both the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. His recent stint in Atlanta saw him guide the Falcons through consecutive 8-9 seasons before being let go at the end of 2025. Despite those middling records, Morris’s coaching pedigree is undeniable—highlighted by his role in leading the Rams’ defense to a Super Bowl victory during the 2021 season.

The 49-year-old coach is no stranger to the NFC West, nor to the 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan. The two share a long and storied professional relationship, having crossed paths on multiple teams over the past two decades. They first worked together on Jon Gruden’s Tampa Bay staff in 2004 and 2005, a period that included a now-infamous incident at the NFL Scouting Combine when Shanahan was arrested after intervening in a case of mistaken identity involving Morris. Their bond was further cemented during stints in Washington (2012-2013) and Atlanta (2015-2016), with both coaches developing a mutual respect for each other’s football acumen.

Shanahan has long been an advocate of coaches who have experience on both sides of the ball—a philosophy Morris embodies, having coached wide receivers and even served as an offensive coordinator for the record-breaking 2016 Falcons. According to insiders, Shanahan believes this versatility allows a defensive coordinator to better anticipate and counter opposing offenses, a trait he hopes will bring much-needed stability to the 49ers’ ever-evolving defense.

Stability, however, has been elusive for San Francisco’s defense in recent years. Since Robert Saleh’s initial departure after the 2020 season, the 49ers have cycled through DeMeco Ryans, Steve Wilks, Nick Sorensen, and Saleh again, each tenure marked by flashes of brilliance and stretches of inconsistency. The 2025 season was no exception. Plagued by a rash of injuries, including season-ending setbacks for All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa (ACL tear in Week 3) and linebacker Fred Warner (dislocated ankle in Week 6), the defense struggled to find its footing. Rookie Mykel Williams, a first-round pick, also missed significant time with an ACL injury, further depleting the unit’s depth.

Despite these challenges, the 49ers managed to finish the 2025 season with a respectable 12-5 record, advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs. Their journey ended in a lopsided 41-6 loss to the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks, but the team’s resilience in the face of adversity did not go unnoticed. The defense, while ranked 20th in total yards allowed and 13th in points allowed per game (21.8), was lauded for overperforming given the circumstances. The unit’s ability to bend without completely breaking, especially with so many young players thrust into starting roles, offered a glimmer of hope for the future.

“He’s such a special leader, such a special coach,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said of Morris in 2022, reflecting on his former colleague’s ability to inspire and motivate players. “He just has great ability to lead, teach, motivate, inspire. He checks every single one of those boxes.”

Morris inherits a defense that will once again be anchored by Bosa and Warner, both expected to return to full strength by the start of training camp. The development of the 2025 rookie class—including Williams, Alfred Collins, Upton Stout, and CJ West—will be critical if the 49ers hope to climb back into the upper echelon of NFL defenses. Last year, San Francisco invested each of its first five draft picks on defenders, signaling a clear commitment to rebuilding and fortifying the unit for the long haul.

One area Morris will need to address immediately is the pass rush. The 49ers finished the 2025 season as one of the league’s least-productive units in that department—a far cry from the dominant fronts of recent playoff runs. With Bosa’s return and the continued maturation of young linemen, expectations are high that Morris can rekindle the relentless pressure that once defined San Francisco’s identity.

Off the field, the coaching staff remains in flux. Gus Bradley, hired as assistant head coach in 2025 and a well-liked figure in the organization, was considered a strong internal candidate for the defensive coordinator role. However, with Morris’s availability following his departure from Atlanta, Shanahan opted for his longtime confidant. Bradley’s future with the team is uncertain, as he may pursue other opportunities, including rumored interest from the Arizona Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans, where he could reunite with Saleh. The 49ers also interviewed former Browns, Saints, and Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who may still join Morris’s staff in a supporting role.

For the 49ers, the hope is that Morris can provide the continuity and vision that has eluded the defense in recent years. The parallels to Steve Spagnuolo’s partnership with Andy Reid in Kansas City are not lost on Shanahan, who envisions a similar long-term collaboration. “I definitely don’t like doing this for a fifth year in a row,” Shanahan quipped in his end-of-season press conference. “I really would like to go on vacation, but these D-coordinators keep making me have my family wait and get mad at me for it.”

As the 2026 season approaches, optimism is cautiously building in Santa Clara. The 49ers have made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, but have fallen short of their ultimate goal. With a healthy roster and a proven leader in Morris, the defense has a chance to return to its dominant form. The journey won’t be easy—especially in a division that features some of the league’s most explosive offenses—but the pieces are in place for a turnaround.

For now, all eyes are on training camp, where Bosa, Warner, and a host of eager young defenders will look to impress their new coordinator. If Morris can harness their talent and instill the consistency that has been so elusive, the 49ers may finally find the defensive stability they’ve been chasing for half a decade.