49ers Hire Matt Eberflus as Defensive Assistant

Former Bears head coach joins San Francisco's coaching staff

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers have hired Matt Eberflus as their new assistant head coach of defense, according to an NFL Network report. Eberflus, who was previously the head coach of the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, will work alongside new 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

Why it matters

Eberflus brings extensive NFL experience as both a coordinator and head coach, which should help bolster the 49ers' defensive coaching staff as they look to improve on a 2025 season that saw them miss the playoffs.

The details

Eberflus, 55, fills a role on San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan's staff that was previously held by Gus Bradley, who departed to become the Tennessee Titans' defensive coordinator. In his one season as Cowboys defensive coordinator in 2022, Eberflus' unit struggled, finishing 30th in total defense and last in several key categories. Prior to that, he served as the Bears' head coach from 2022-2024 before being fired after a 4-8 start in his final season.

  • Eberflus was hired by the 49ers on March 6, 2026.

The players

Matt Eberflus

A 55-year-old NFL coach who has served as a defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and head coach for the Chicago Bears.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Raheem Morris

The new defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, replacing Robert Saleh who became the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Gus Bradley

The former defensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers, who departed to become the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

Micah Parsons

An All-Pro pass rusher who was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers just before the 2022 season, during Eberflus' tenure as Cowboys defensive coordinator.

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What’s next

The 49ers will look to integrate Eberflus into their defensive coaching staff and scheme as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

The hiring of Matt Eberflus as the 49ers' new assistant head coach of defense represents an effort by the team to strengthen its coaching staff on that side of the ball, as they aim to return to the playoffs after a disappointing 2025 campaign.