Nearly a Decade Later, Kyle Shanahan Finally Gets Raheem Morris
Shanahan finally lands his longtime target. Raheem Morris arrives to fortify the 49ers' defense, bringing Super Bowl pedigree and a decade-long connection.
Video Transcript
Nearly a decade later, Kyle Shanahan finally gets Raheem Morris on his staff.
The San Francisco 49ers have announced their new defensive coordinator.
On Sunday, NFL Network insiders reported that the 49ers are hiring former Atlanta Falcons head coach, Raheem Morris, as their new defensive coordinator, obviously filling the vacancy left by Robert Saleh, who became the new Tennessee Titans head coach.
For San Francisco, this hire represents experience and familiarity.
Morris recently spent two years as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, compiling a sixteen and eighteen record while overseeing a roster that was very much in transition.
Prior to that, he served as the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator from '21 to '23, helping lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in his first season with the team.
This resume is what makes Morris one of the more accomplished defensive minds available this cycle.
The timing of the hire came together quickly once Arizona Cardinals finalized their decision to hire offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their next head coach instead of Morris.
Morris brings extensive familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The two crossed paths multiple times throughout their career, first on Jon Gruden's staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then later in Washington and again in Atlanta, when Sh- Shanahan served as the Falcons' offensive coordinator from twenty fifteen to twenty sixteen.
Shanahan originally attempted to hire Morris when he took over the 49ers in twenty seventeen.
However, Atlanta blocked the interview at that time.
Nearly a decade later, the pairing finally comes together.
Morris inherits a defense whose twenty twenty-five numbers don't fully reflect the context of the season.
The 49ers finished thirteenth in points allowed and twentieth in total lar- yards, but ranked dead last in the NFL with twenty sacks.
Injuries obviously ravaged the unit, starting with Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Mykel Williams, as you know, all the people.
Despite those setbacks, San Francisco still managed a twelve and five record and made the divisional round, an achievement that underscores the resilience of the roster but also highlights the need for a defensive reset.
This is where Morris comes in.
Excited to see if Morris can help the San Francisco defense rediscover their identity.
The 49ers are definitely within a championship window in the twenty twenty-six season with Morris at the head.
