Steve Wilks, Nick Sorensen, Robert Saleh. One of those names is not like the others, though all three were the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinators each of the last three years. Wilks and Sorensen were fired after one year while Saleh left in the offseason to become head coach of the Tennessee Titans. That should tell you the difference.
49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown says all three had something in common: schemes lacking football players. The 49ers safety may have found his scheme in Raheem Morris, who succeeded Saleh as defensive coordinator.
“Raheem is dope, bro.” Brown said when speaking to the media on Monday. “Super dope. He wants football players. Previous schemes we’ve been in haven’t been that, haven’t wanted that. Raheem wants you to play football. He wants instinctive players. He wants guys who can get out there and play ball and read the quarterback.”
It’s no secret the 49ers and their fans had a common issue with Wilks and Sorensen. Saleh has his own criticisms, but there was no comparison between his defenses and the two coaches before him. According to Brown, Saleh’s scheme had some severe issues.
“The scheme fits all of us,” Brown continued. “It’s been great to see us transition into this explosive, D-back unit.”
Or maybe he has a point. Wilks had one of the most stacked defenses in the league—and somehow it had head-scratching brain farts every game. The less said about Sorensen, the better; he’s simply a guy in over his head. Then there’s Saleh. Did the 49ers defense improve? Oh yeah — even with the injuries.
Those injuries really left the 49ers without a next man up of sorts. When a starter went down, things didn’t take a step back; they hit a massive stumbling block. A good example was when Nick Bosa went down with a torn ACL; the 49ers’ pass rush plummeted. Expected when losing a player like Bosa, but they really didn’t have a plan “B” of sorts.
Brown isn’t going to point any fingers.
“I’m not going to even go there,” Brown said. “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.”
Brown was seen as a possible starter in 2025, but lost the starting safety job in September to Marques Sigle. Shortly after the demotion, Brown said he was a top-5 player in the NFL. Whether you agree with top-5 or not, Brown did emerge as the season went on. His huge game against the Carolina Panthers in November definitely had everyone chatting. Unfortunately, Brown couldn’t stay consistent, and it led to an offseason where he feuded with former 49ers safety Donte Whitner of all people.
The 49ers notched just six interceptions in 2025. Brown was tied with Deommodore Lenoir for having the most with two. He also had one forced fumble.
In practice on Monday, Brown notched a pass breakup. On Saturday, Morris spoke of Brown’s rushing potential when there were injuries along the defensive line.
Brown will be a player to watch. Not just because of the 49ers’ safety position, but because he may have finally found a scheme he can thrive in. He’s had his moments of excellence, but if Morris can help get some consistency, then he might finally be the top player he claims he is.
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