San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has a unique perspective on the rivalry between Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. Morris has worked alongside both head coaches, serving as McVay's defensive coordinator for three seasons before joining Shanahan's staff as the 49ers' defensive coordinator this year.
Morris also previously worked with Shanahan as an assistant with the Atlanta Falcons, Washington, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He and McVay were assistants together with the Buccaneers in 2008.
That background gives Morris a rare perspective on two of the NFL's most respected offensive minds. On Tuesday, the 49ers defensive coordinator shared what makes the Shanahan-versus-McVay matchups so compelling.
"You're talking about two of the best minds in football," Morris told reporters. "Kyle's been doing it for such a long time at such a high level. And really, the Shanahan name, talking about his dad, talking about the lineage of what's gone on throughout that process.
"Kyle really doesn't get enough credit. All those guys were together with him, and then they've gone and kind of branched out and done some really good things, whether it's Matt LaFleur, whether it's Mike LaFleur, whether it's even Sean McVay. They've explored, they've done different things."
As a defensive-minded coach who also served as the Falcons' head coach for two seasons, Morris has another unique perspective: what it's like to game-plan against offenses led by Shanahan and McVay. He admits that preparing to face either coach can be a "pain in the neck" for defensive coordinators.
Morris will be part of another Shanahan-versus-McVay showdown on September 10, when the 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, to open their 2026 seasons.
"I've been able to join them and coach on the same side of the ball, been on the opposite side of the ball," Morris continued. "It's always going to be fun. It's always going to be good. It's just a matter of who executes that day, so it's something that we all love to watch."
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