The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2026 season with plenty of questions on defense. They had a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris, a new scheme to learn, and a defensive line that was expected to need time to find its footing.
Then the injuries started piling up. The 49ers lost six of their 10 defensive linemen during the first two weeks of the season. Under those circumstances, it's understandable that the defense would struggle to find consistency. Instead, through the first five games, the San Francisco defense has looked like one of the better defensive units in the NFL. The 49ers are 5-0, and the defense deserves plenty of credit for that start.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed the defense during an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco and admitted that he didn't expect his defense to be as good as they've been this quickly.
"So if you would have told me that happened [all the injuries], I would have been like, 'Alright, I hope we survive, and we can get it going towards the second half of the year.' So, that's what I think has been so impressive. I think the back seven has been like that, but the D-line, even missing all these people, hasn't been a weakness."
Shanahan expected the defensive line to need time to come together, even if they were completely healthy. But the early results have been encouraging, and Morris deserves much of the credit for helping the group find its identity.
The defensive coordinator has brought a different approach to the defense than former coordinator Robert Saleh. The 49ers spent much of the previous regime operating out of four-man defensive fronts, with an emphasis on keeping the play in front of them and limiting big gains. Morris has added more variety, including increased use of five-man fronts and different coverage looks.
"They've been able to do their job," Shanahan said. "They've been able to go in there, and what I love about Raheem is how much he mixes stuff up, you know, the five-down fronts, the four-down fronts. It's kind of all over the place with that stuff, which makes it hard for offenses to tee off. And when you do that, they can't scheme you up as well."
Morris has emphasized putting players in positions where they can use their instincts and play to their strengths. Rather than asking defenders to spend too much time thinking about their assignments, the goal is to let them recognize what is happening and react. The players appear to have embraced that approach, and the results have been evident.
The defensive success also goes beyond the scheme. The players in the secondary have played with confidence, and the front has continued to find ways to disrupt opposing offenses despite the personnel challenges.
San Francisco allowed just 93 points through its first five games, the third-fewest in the NFL over that span. That would be impressive for any defense, but especially when considering the injuries the 49ers have dealt with along the defensive line. The unit has not needed everything to go perfectly to get results. Instead, different players have stepped up, and the defense has continued to function as a group.
Injuries can force a defense to change its personnel, but a flexible scheme can help limit the damage. Morris has shown a willingness to adjust his approach, and the players have responded.
Of course, it's only been five games. The 49ers will face tougher stretches, and injuries could continue to test the depth of the defensive line. The challenge now is to sustain this level of play as opponents get more film on Morris' defense and find ways to attack it.
The defense may still have room to improve, especially when the team gets more healthy along the defensive line. If it can continue to produce at this level while getting players back, San Francisco could have an even more dangerous unit as the season progresses.
Shanahan expected the 49ers' defense to need time. Five games into the season, it looks like Morris and his players may be ahead of schedule.
Watch the full interview with Shanahan below:
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