The Tennessee Titans were among the teams with a head coach opening this offseason and they eventually filled the position by hiring former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
It represents Saleh’s second opportunity as a head coach as he previously held the role with the New York Jets from 2021-2024.
Saleh’s departure meant the 49ers had to find a replacement and it did not take them long to do so.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers are set to hire former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to the same role:
ESPN sources: The 49ers are set to hire former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as their defensive coordinator. Morris is expected to replace Robert Saleh, who was hired as the Tennessee Titans head coach. pic.twitter.com/6gLA4BqFID
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2026
Morris is back in the NFC West after a two-year stint as the Atlanta Falcons head coach. Before that, he served as the Rams defensive coordinator from 2021-2023, notably winning the Super Bowl in his first year.
Morris was let go by the Falcons despite the team finishing the 2025 season on a four-game winning streak. One of those was a surprising victory over the Rams in Week 17.
Morris will now get to play his former team two times per season as the new 49ers defensive coordinator, which should make for an interesting matchup. Morris, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay all worked together on Washington’s staff back in the day and remain close friends, but now Morris is the enemy for the Rams.
Cardinals hiring Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as head coach
Since Sean McVay took over as head coach of the Rams, the organization is used to getting coaches poached by other teams.
This offseason was more of the same as offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, passing game coordintor Nate Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula all interviewed for multiple head coaching gigs.
Scheelhaase and Shula did not land new jobs, but it appears LaFleur did as he is being hired as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
LaFleur has been the Rams’ offensive coordinator for the last three seasons and the team boasted the No. 1 offense in the league in 2025. McVay handles play-calling duties, but LaFleur also played a big role in the Rams’ offensive success as well.
Similar to Morris, he will now be staying in the division and playing the Rams twice a year moving forward.
