Updated Feb. 1, 2026, 4:17 p.m. ET
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is expected to be named defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Morris was one of three finalists for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job but lost out to Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
“The 49ers are set to hire former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as their defensive coordinator,” wrote Schefter. “Kyle Shanahan and Raheem Morris have been together at three separate stops: Tampa Bay (2004–05), Washington (2012-13) and Atlanta (2015–16). Now, it will be a fourth, as they join forces in San Francisco.”
During his two years in Atlanta, Morris led the team to back-to-back 8-9 seasons and an overall record of 16-18. The Falcons won their final four games in 2025, including an upset win over the Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 17.
Despite the team’s late-season winning streak and overall defensive improvement, Morris was fired shortly after the 2025 season finale. This came as a bit of a surprise, but with 10 head coach openings around the NFL, many assumed Morris would land another gig.
However, the Cardinals went with the less experienced candidate in LaFleur. Even though Rams head coach Sean McVay is technically the play-caller in Los Angeles, Arizona couldn’t resist landing the prized coordinator.
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So instead, Morris will take his talents to San Francisco, joining his old buddy Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers lost defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who was hired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
If Morris does a good job with the 49ers defense this season, he could be in position to land a head coaching gig in 2027.
