Two 49ers Defensive Stars Left Out of Raheem Morris' Future Plans Speak Out, Claiming He Only Got the DC Position Due to His Close Relationship With Head Coach Kyle Shanahan – What's Really Happening in the 49ers' Locker Room?

San Francisco, California

A major controversy has erupted in the San Francisco 49ers' locker room after Raheem Morris was appointed as the new defensive coordinator (DC). Two key defensive stars, Dee Winters and Ji'Ayir Brown, have been left out of the team's future plans under Morris, and both have spoken out aggressively, claiming that Morris only earned the position due to his close relationship with head coach Kyle Shanahan. This has raised serious questions about what's really going on within the 49ers' locker room.

After Robert Saleh left to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, the 49ers decided to hire Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator. However, this decision has sparked backlash, particularly as Dee Winters and Ji'Ayir Brown were both excluded from Morris' long-term plans.

Dee Winters, a linebacker (LB), and Ji'Ayir Brown, a safety (S), are two players who are seen as not fitting into the new defensive scheme that Morris is implementing. Morris’ defense requires linebackers to be highly versatile, capable of quickly moving to the line of scrimmage and even playing as edge rushers or hybrids. Winters, with his weight under 230 pounds, struggles to meet these requirements due to his lack of size and strength.

Brown, while a potential safety, doesn't excel in man coverage or blitz situations, which are key to Morris’ aggressive style. This has led to both players feeling sidelined and not fitting into the long-term plans for the defense.

Both Dee Winters and Ji'Ayir Brown have expressed their frustration about being left out of the team’s future plans. They have spoken openly, claiming that Morris doesn’t deserve the DC position and that his appointment was solely due to his close relationship with Shanahan. One of the players shared: 

“Exactly, we really believe he doesn’t deserve this position. Morris has such a close relationship with Shanahan, and that’s the reason he was chosen as our defensive coordinator. If he weren’t Kyle’s friend, do we really think he’d have been given this job? We don’t think so.”

Raheem Morris and Kyle Shanahan share a long history, having worked together at the Atlanta Falcons. Shanahan has long trusted Morris, which made him the top choice for the DC position at 49ers. However, many players feel that this decision wasn’t based on Morris’ professional ability but rather on their personal connection, which has caused dissatisfaction and frustration within the team.

The dissatisfaction from Winters and Brown has created growing tension in the 49ers' locker room. Not only do they feel sidelined, but they are also concerned that this preference for personal relationships over professional merit could harm the team’s cohesion. Players are beginning to question whether this decision is truly the best for the team’s future.

With growing frustration among key defensive players, the 49ers now face a critical issue in their locker room dynamics. If these internal problems aren’t addressed, the team could struggle to maintain unity and perform at a high level in the upcoming season. However, Raheem Morris and Shanahan will need to carefully navigate these tensions to ensure that the team remains focused and effective moving forward.

Raheem Morris’ appointment as defensive coordinator has caused significant unrest in the 49ers' locker room, particularly with Dee Winters and Ji'Ayir Brown. Both players have criticized Morris, claiming that his position was secured due to his close friendship with Shanahan rather than his professional qualifications. While this controversy creates a challenging atmosphere, the 49ers must resolve these internal conflicts if they hope to stay competitive in the 2026 season.