Ex-Falcons coach Raheem Morris lands new job

Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has quickly landed on his feet with a new job.

Morris is being named the new defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple reports. He replaces Robert Saleh, who left to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Morris, 49, spent three years as Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator prior to becoming Atlanta’s head coach and was widely praised for his work there. He went 20-25 with Atlanta and finished the 2025 season strong, though it was not enough to save his job.

Morris had been a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals head-coaching job, and it is not coincidental that his decision to join the Niners came right after the Cardinals hired someone else. This was apparently his backup plan all along.

The 49ers have traditionally been built on very strong defenses in recent years, though they ranked 13th in points allowed this season. The team dealt with a series of injuries this year, so Morris will be hoping he has a fully healthy group to work with for 2026.