Kyle Shanahan has seen enough from Raheem Morris through three games, especially considering the San Francisco's 49ers' 3-0 start.
Asked Wednesday about his defensive coordinator's job so far, Shanahan didn't hold back.
"I think he's done a great job," Shanahan told reporters. "He's been mixing it up in all three of these games. He's had a ton of challenges, just with some of the guys he's been missing, especially when you miss that many at one position, just being with the D-Line. He's been awesome since the day he got here. He brings a lot of energy to the group and gets those guys to play the right way and I think he's also done a hell of a job schematically."
Kyle Shanahan gave his assessment on DC Raheem Morris: “I think he’s done a great
job. He’s been mixing it up all 3 of these games. It’s been a ton of challenges just with some of the guys he’s been missing. He’s been awesome since the day he’s got here. He brings a lot of… pic.twitter.com/YKNIdG2qya
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 30, 2026
The challenges Shanahan referenced manifested in some huge injuries. Star edge rusher Nick Bosa is expected to miss multiple weeks with a calf injury. Edge rusher Mykell Williams is only now practicing following his 2025 ACL injury. Defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. is out with a high-ankle sprain. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins is done for the season after tearing his patella tendon before the year began. Romello Height is also dealing with a hand injury that required surgery.
Despite all that, the results have been strong. Through wins over the Rams, Dolphins and Cardinals, San Francisco ranks third in the league in points allowed (50) and ninth in yards allowed (939). Opponents are averaging just 4.8 yards per play.
The defense has also held up against both the pass and the run, ranking 14th in passing yards allowed (622) and 15th in rushing yards allowed (317). It held the Rams to seven points in the opener, and while Arizona reached 30 against the unit, the 49ers still came away with the win.
The one soft spot is takeaways. The 49ers have just two through three games, tied for 23rd in the league. Creating more turnovers is the clearest area where Morris' group can still improve.
Morris' success is a refreshing change of pace for the recent revolving door at the position. After Robert Saleh left in 2020 and Demeco Ryans left two years later, the 49ers haven't had the same defensive coordinator for two consecutive years. Steve Wilks and Nick Sorensen lasted a year each in 2023 and 2024 before Saleh returned in 2025, but left again for another head coaching job. Morris, meanwhile, came to the 49ers after a two-year stint as head coach for the Atlanta Falcons following three years as the Rams' defensive coordinator.
Now, he's having success in San Francisco. Whether or not he sticks around another year will depend on how the rest of this season goes, though.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Kyle Shanahan raves about Raheem Morris' work through three weeks
