Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2026 7:04 PM
Leading the undefeated 49ers into familiar territory, former Falcons coach Raheem Morris weaponizes his intimate knowledge of Atlanta’s roster to protect San Francisco's perfect record in a high-stakes homecoming.
When the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers travel to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, the matchup will carry significant personal weight for first-year 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
After serving as Atlanta's head coach during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Morris parted ways with the franchise in January 2026 before being tabbed by Kyle Shanahan to take over San Francisco's defense. Now, leading a top-five scoring defense into Week 7, Morris faces his former team with a chance to keep San Francisco's undefeated start intact.
A Familiar Foe and Former Home
Morris' coaching history with the Falcons spans two separate stints. He was first an assistant and interim head coach under Dan Quinn from 2015 to 2020, and later as a head coach in 2024 and 2025. Having recruited and coached much of Atlanta's core talent, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and key defensive starters, Morris possesses intimate knowledge of the roster and personnel tendencies he will prepare against this week.
"Raheem knows those guys inside and out, and they know his tendencies too," Kyle Shanahan said when asked about the dynamic. "In this league, familiarity can be a double-edged sword, but having a caller who understands their personnel at that level is definitely a strength for us going into gameplan preparation."
Simplifying the Defense, Maximizing Output
Since stepping in as 49ers DC in February 2026, Morris has revitalized San Francisco's defensive side of the ball. His emphasis on a streamlined playbook and fast reaction times has transformed the unit:
- Top-4 Scoring Defense: San Francisco enters Week 7 allowing just 17.8 points per game.
- Front-Seven Havoc: Morris' multiple-front scheme generated 27 total pressures on Jayden Daniels on Monday Night Football, showcasing the depth of young rushers like Romello Height and Jaden Dugger.
- Situational Clutch: In high-leverage moments, Morris’ defense has held firm, including a game-winning 4th-and-goal stand by safety Malik Mustapha to close out Week 6.
Scheming Against Atlanta’s Offense
Morris' unit faces an intriguing tactical test. Atlanta’s offense features a physical ground game and dynamic perimeter weapons that Morris knows well. However, the 49ers secondary will likely need to adjust if safety injuries linger, placing extra emphasis on Morris' front four to disrupt timing in the pocket before routes develop.
With San Francisco aiming to reach 7-0 before its Week 8 bye week, Morris’ return to Atlanta serves as one of the weekend's premier storylines. It’s a revenge game on paper, but really it’s a business trip for a coordinator looking to solidify San Francisco's championship-caliber defense.
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