In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers have made a bold move to bolster their defense following the departure of Robert Saleh, who left to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. On February 1, 2026, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news, citing sources, that the Niners are set to hire former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator. This hiring comes after a competitive interview process and positions Morris as the key figure to revitalize a defense that struggled mightily last season.

Schefter’s report highlights Morris as one of three finalists interviewed by the 49ers for the vacant position. According to earlier reporting from NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco on January 29, the team had spoken with Morris, alongside Joe Woods and Gus Bradley. Despite Bradley and Woods having prior connections to the organization, it was Morris—fresh off his tenure as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams from 2021 to 2023—who emerged as the top choice.

Morris’s track record speaks for itself. During his time with the Rams, he orchestrated a championship-caliber defense anchored by superstar Aaron Donald, culminating in a Super Bowl victory. Now, stepping into the 49ers’ fold, Morris inherits a talented unit featuring edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he deploys these elite players to address the team’s glaring weaknesses. Last season, San Francisco’s defense managed only 20 sacks, dead last in the NFL—a statistic that Morris will undoubtedly aim to flip on its head.

49ers insider Grant Cohn of On SI didn’t mince words when evaluating the candidates in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on January 29. Cohn praised Morris as “legitimately an excellent defensive coordinator,” noting his Super Bowl success with the Rams and his prior head coaching experience. “He would be pretty great,” Cohn said, though he acknowledged that Morris doesn’t run the “wide nine” scheme that the Niners have favored in recent years. This could force the team to evolve schematically—a change Cohn views as necessary rather than a “nightmare.”

In contrast, Cohn was less enthusiastic about the other options. He described Gus Bradley as a coach who “hasn’t evolved at all in the last 15 years,” suggesting the 49ers interviewed him more to study Saleh’s innovative approaches than as a serious contender. Cohn warned that hiring Bradley could repeat the mistakes of the Steve Wilks era, where a coordinator was brought in to mimic someone else’s system without adaptation.

“If the choice comes down to Gus Bradley and Raheem Morris, it’s a no-brainer. It’s got to be Morris,” Cohn emphasized.

Cohn was even more critical of Joe Woods, the third candidate. Woods has ties to the 49ers, having served as their defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs specialist in 2019 during their Super Bowl run under Saleh. However, his subsequent stints as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints were marked by failure, according to Cohn. Woods’s most recent role was with the Las Vegas Raiders last year—a team Cohn dubbed “the worst in the league.”

“I’m guessing he won’t be the guy,” Cohn predicted. “He might be on the staff at some point, but he probably won’t be the defensive coordinator.”

This sentiment underscores why Morris stood out: his proven success and fresh perspective make him the ideal fit for a 49ers team looking to rebound.

The hiring of Raheem Morris represents a potential turning point for San Francisco. With Saleh’s exit creating a void, the team needed a coordinator who could not only maintain their defensive identity but elevate it. Morris’s experience with star-studded defenses and his adaptability could be the catalyst for improvement, especially in pass rush and overall aggression.

As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on how Morris integrates with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s staff and schemes his way around Bosa and Warner. If his Rams tenure is any indication, the 49ers’ defense could quickly climb back into the NFL’s elite ranks.

This bombshell from Adam Schefter has ignited excitement among Niners fans, signaling a new era of defensive prowess in the Bay Area. Stay tuned for more updates as the team prepares for the 2026 season.