When the San Francisco 49ers hired Raheem Morris to replace Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator, one of the things that most excited many fans was the belief that a Morris-led defense would be much more aggressive. Some noted, for example, that in 2025, Saleh utilized one of the lowest blitz rates in the NFL at 23.4%. Morris, however, blitzed at a much higher blitz rate (around 36%) while with the Atlanta Falcons.
Saleh's system thrived on discipline and the minimization of mistakes. Morris has historically been more willing to disguise coverages, move pieces around, and create favorable matchups rather than simply relying on talent to win. During his time coordinating the Los Angeles Rams' defense, he regularly mixed fronts, simulated pressures, and found ways to free up his best pass rushers.
That style could benefit multiple players on the 49ers' defense. Let's take a look at who may be in for a better season under Morris.
Nick Bosa
This is an obvious answer, but it's also a correct one, provided he can successfully return from his second knee injury since entering the NFL. Injuries and lack of talent on the other side of the defense have robbed Bosa to an extent. Offenses slide protections toward him, chip him with tight ends and running backs, and force someone else to win.
Now the picture looks different. The addition of defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa gives San Francisco an interior presence capable of collapsing the pocket. At the same time, Morris has a history of manufacturing one-on-one situations for elite edge rushers through alignment and pre-snap movement.
Morris has long believed pressure changes everything. It's a simple philosophy, but one that has followed him throughout his coaching career. If offenses can no longer dedicate two blockers to Bosa on most passing downs, he should be one to benefit from having Morris as his defensive coordinator.
Osa Odighizuwa
This may be the biggest winner of all. Interior defensive linemen often post career seasons under Morris because they aren't asked to simply occupy space. They're encouraged to attack.
Odighizuwa has quietly become one of the NFL's better interior disruptors, consistently generating quarterback pressures that don't always show up in sack totals. Now imagine him lining up next to Bosa. Quarterbacks stepping up to avoid Bosa could find Odighizuwa waiting. Quarterbacks sliding away from Odighizuwa could drift directly into Bosa.
It's the kind of complementary relationship Morris has built before.
Renardo Green
Don't overlook the secondary. Morris spent years coaching defensive backs before becoming a coordinator and head coach. It's still one of his specialties.
Green had his ups and downs last season, but he also showed some growth, allowing only a 55.1% completion rate with only one touchdown surrendered in coverage. Additionally, he allowed only a 38.5% completion rate when targeted in man coverage.
His physical style fits Morris almost perfectly. Instead of constantly bailing into soft zones, Green could see more opportunities to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage and play tighter man coverage, something many evaluators believe suits his game better. A more aggressive scheme could transform him from a promising young starter into a difference-maker at the position.
Dre Greenlaw
Sometimes the biggest improvement isn't statistical. Greenlaw's return gives Fred Warner his running mate again, and Morris loves linebackers who can disguise intentions before the snap.
One play they may blitz. The next, they'll back into coverage. The uncertainty creates hesitation for quarterbacks.
Greenlaw has always been at his best playing downhill, attacking rather than reacting. Morris' philosophy should put him in that position more often. If Greenlaw can stay healthy, the middle of the defense suddenly looks much faster. And his last two seasons, mostly injury-riddled, could be a thing of the past. This season could be a bounce-back year for Greenlaw. And Morris might be one of the reasons why.
One thing is for sure: if Morris is looking for aggressive play, he will love Dre Greenlaw.
Upton Stout
If Morris has a favorite type of defensive back, it's probably someone who plays the way Stout does. The second-year corner has never lacked aggression. In fact, it's one of the reasons the 49ers drafted him last year. At 5'9 and 181 pounds, Stout has never relied on size. He wins with instincts, physicality, and a willingness to attack. As a rookie, he piled up 82 tackles, added a sack, forced a fumble, and broke up five passes, showing he could impact the game in multiple ways.
Morris has a long history of turning slot corners into weapons rather than simply asking them to cover underneath routes. His Falcons defense frequently sent nickel corners after the quarterback. Stout has already shown he can get after the QB.
That's where this pairing gets intriguing. Instead of trying to make Stout something he isn't, Morris can lean into what already makes him effective. That could mean more nickel blitzes, more disguised pressures, and more opportunities for Stout to create chaos around the line of scrimmage. His aggressive mentality already fits Morris' philosophy. Now he'll have a defensive coordinator who knows exactly how to weaponize it.
The 49ers don't necessarily need Morris to reinvent their defense, but they do need him to maximize it. Last season's unit finished just 24th in EPA allowed per play and 30th in defensive success rate. To be fair, they sustained multiple season-ending injuries and finished with third-and-fourth-string guys playing key postseason snaps.
Morris inherits more talent than Saleh finished with in January. And if he succeeds in putting his best players in advantageous situations instead of asking them to win the same way every snap, several members of this defense could produce the best seasons of their careers. And that should be big for the 49ers.
Mentioned in this article: Nick Bosa, Renardo Green, Dre Greenlaw, Osa Odighizuwa, Upton Stout, Fred Warner
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