Rams See Raheem Morris Return to NFC West

Former Falcons head coach joins 49ers as defensive coordinator, reuniting with Kyle Shanahan

Feb. 1, 2026 at 5:55pm

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The Los Angeles Rams will face a familiar foe in the NFC West next season as the San Francisco 49ers have hired former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator. Morris, who has a long history working with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, replaces Robert Saleh, who was hired as the Tennessee Titans' new head coach.

Why it matters

The Rams and Seattle Seahawks have dominated the NFC West in recent years, but the addition of Morris as the 49ers' defensive coordinator could shift the balance of power in the division. Morris is known for his defensive expertise and ability to scheme against high-powered offenses like the Rams'.

The details

The 49ers were initially expected to promote from within, with defensive assistant Gus Bradley seen as the top in-house candidate to replace Saleh. However, when Morris did not land a head coaching job elsewhere, he emerged as the 49ers' top choice. Morris has worked with Shanahan at three different organizations over the past two decades and the two have a strong relationship.

  • On Sunday, February 1, 2026, the Rams were informed that offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur would be taking the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job.
  • Moments after that announcement, the 49ers announced that Super Bowl LVI-winning defensive coordinator Raheem Morris would be their next defensive coordinator.

The players

Raheem Morris

Former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons who is now the new defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, reuniting with head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Kyle Shanahan

Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers who has worked with Raheem Morris at three different organizations over the past 20 years.

Robert Saleh

Former defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers who was hired as the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Gus Bradley

Defensive assistant and assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers who was initially expected to be the team's top in-house candidate to replace Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator.

Mike LaFleur

Former offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams who was hired as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

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What they’re saying

“ESPN sources: The 49ers are set to hire former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as their defensive coordinator. Morris is expected to replace Robert Saleh, who was hired as the Tennessee Titans head coach.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Insider

“I definitely don't like doing this for a fifth year in a row. 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.”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

“At his end-of-season news conference, Shanahan indicated that defensive assistant Gus Bradley was the team's primary in-house candidate. Bradley received an interview, but when Morris didn't get a head coaching job elsewhere, he moved to the top of the list.”

— Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer

What’s next

The Rams will need to prepare to face a 49ers defense led by the experienced Raheem Morris, who has a history of success against high-powered offenses like Los Angeles'.

The takeaway

The NFC West continues to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, with the addition of Raheem Morris as the 49ers' new defensive coordinator further strengthening the division's defensive talent and coaching expertise.