The new coordinator plans to evolve San Francisco’s relentless front by integrating versatile three-down schemes and gap-plugging personnel, adding unpredictable layers to an already elite unit.
The San Francisco 49ers have been a straightforward defense for much of recent memory. The Niners have attacked opposition from a four-man front with relentless mentality.
New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris does not want the Niners to lose this component of their current style. Morris wants to build on what the team can do while keeping what it is already good at doing.
The new coaching addition provided clarity on what approach he and the defensive coaching staff will take to calling plays in 2026. Here's what Morris had to say about the 49ers new style of play.
"We have been a four-down rush team, and we've done a nice job with it. I know we've dibbled and dabbled a little bit last year, even with (former San Francisco defensive coordinator) Robert Saleh, who I have so much respect for and what he was able to do and how he did it. But I was able to accumulate and acquire a bunch of different ideas and thoughts along my stops with the different people that I work with. Whether it's been Jim Haslett in Washington, where they were strictly three-four base Pittsburgh team, or really being able to do some of the different things that we did last year, being able to mix it up, being able to play some four-down stuff, being able to play a bunch of five-down stuff."
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) rushes during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field. Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesMorris is not coming into San Francisco to fix the 49ers defense. It does not need to be fixed. Morris insists that he has respect for former defensive coordinator Robert Salah's style and that he wants to maintain the good aspects that Saleh brought to the team last year.
The changes Morris is set to bring come in the way of fine-tuning and enhancing the current defensive structure. He shares that it could entail running a defense with three down linemen instead of four.
While that might not seem a big change, it does hint that some personnel may see their role increase while others may see their role decrease. And in that process, the Niners may carve out a role for a true nose tackle. That said, it will necessarily mean that an edge rusher or a linebacker will have to come onto the field to make room for three gap-plugging defensive linemen.
The Niners defense will be different next season, but perhaps it will be a good thing. We will see how different it is when the season kicks off in September.