There is significant pressure on San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown as he enters a pivotal season while battling to keep his starting job. The good news is that Brown appears to be thriving in training camp and embracing the changes brought by new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
"Camp's been going great," Brown told reporters after Monday's practice. "My favorite camp, honestly, since I've been here."
Brown said he has quickly become comfortable in Morris' defensive scheme and enjoys the freedom it gives him to play instinctively.
"I'm honestly having fun, bro," Brown added. "Having fun, and I can't remember the last time I had this much fun."
The fourth-year safety explained that Morris wants "football players" who can rely on their instincts rather than simply executing assignments.
"Previous schemes we've been in haven't been that, haven't wanted that," Brown said. "Raheem wants you to play football. He wants instinctive players. He wants guys who can just get out there and play ball and read the quarterback. So, the scheme fits all of us, and it's been great to see us transition into this explosive D-back unit."
Brown believes he is a natural fit for Morris' defensive system, which could lead to a breakout season as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
"Me, personally, it fits more into my strong suits, reading the quarterback, being reactive, letting my instincts take over," Brown said. "Probably the best part of my game, so that's what I love about this scheme over the last schemes I've been in. [Former 49ers defensive coordinator Steve] Wilks was a lot similar."
Brown's comments raise questions about his fit in previous defensive schemes, particularly under former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who is now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. However, the safety did not want to revisit last season or place blame on anyone.
"I'm not going to even go there," Brown commented. "What happened last year was what happened last year. Could things have been better? Of course. But I'm not going to hold nobody accountable to that. I'll just hold myself accountable and take whatever comes with that. But what happened last year was last year."
Ji'Ayir Brown is not focused on his contract
Despite entering a contract year, Brown said he is not focused on his future deal. Instead, he is keeping his attention on improving one play at a time.
"When I get out on that field, I don't think about none of that," Brown said. "I'm literally out there, I'm having fun, man. I can't think of nothing outside of—this game is so detailed and so one-play focused that your mind just has to be on the day, the moment, the now. So that stuff, I don't even worry about that. I'm here to play football."
Ji'Ayir Brown addresses outside criticism
Brown made headlines this offseason after pushing back against criticism from two former 49ers defensive backs, Donte Whitner and Richard Sherman. Both former players believe Brown struggled last season and enters a crucial prove-it year where he must take a significant step forward.
Brown was asked about handling criticism from outside the organization.
"It's something we do as humans," Brown said. "We like to judge and put our own perspectives and our own opinions on others. Whether they're completely wrong or completely right, everybody feels like their opinion should be taken serious. And it's all opinions at the end of the day.
"The guys in this building know what's going on. My teammates know what's going on, my coaching staff and my owners know what's going on. So I'm really just focused on them and the people in this building, making them proud, making the franchise proud.
"All the outside noise, it doesn't bother me. I'm not really a big social media guy."
Brown's confidence and comfort within Morris' defense could be a storyline to watch during training camp and the preseason. After an uneven 2025 campaign, the safety has an opportunity to prove he can play at a high level.
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