KEY POINTS
- 49ers hiring Raheem Morris reunites the coach with the NFC West after three seasons with the Rams.
- Morris replaces Robert Saleh, now head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
- Move targets stability for an injury hit San Francisco defense.
The San Francisco 49ers are hiring former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as their defensive coordinator, bringing a familiar NFC West figure back into the division after his recent firing in Atlanta, according to multiple league reports Saturday.
The decision positions San Francisco to lean on Morris’ experience as the franchise retools its defense following a season disrupted by injuries and coaching turnover.
The hire underscores the premium teams place on schematic continuity and adaptability in a division defined by offensive innovation.
Morris, forty nine, previously served as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams from 2021 through 2023, helping guide a unit that ranked among the league’s most versatile under Sean McVay.
He returned to Atlanta in 2024 as head coach but was dismissed after two seasons without a playoff berth. His return to the NFC West gives him twice yearly matchups against his former team.
Saleh’s departure followed Tennessee’s decision to hire him as head coach, creating an opening at a critical moment for the 49ers.
San Francisco finished last season with one of the highest games lost totals to defensive injuries, according to league data.
“Morris brings a track record of adapting schemes to personnel, which matters when injuries strike,” said Eric Crocker, a former NFL defensive back and analyst for Pro Football Network. “That flexibility is valuable in the NFC West.”
Mike Silver, NFL Network reporter, said the hire reflects trust across the league. “Teams respect Morris’ leadership and communication with players,” Silver said. “Those traits travel regardless of title.”
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said earlier this month that Morris “handled an extremely difficult roster situation with professionalism.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said in a 2023 interview that Morris “prepared defenses that understood modern offenses.”
The 49ers hiring Raheem Morris places immediate focus on health management, opponent specific planning and integrating younger defenders.
League sources said Morris is expected to retain several position coaches to ensure continuity.
As the 49ers hiring Raheem Morris becomes official, San Francisco adds a seasoned coordinator with deep divisional knowledge, aiming to stabilize a defense central to its championship ambitions.
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