The San Francisco 49ers have their new defensive coordinator. Raheem Morris has reunited with Kyle Shanahan, and now the team must go about trying to improve a defensive unit that was ravaged by injuries in 2025.
Clearly, the Niners would benefit from adding more depth on the defensive side of that ball, which is why the addition of Morris unlocks an obvious reunion.
Edge rusher Leonard Floyd spent just one season with the 49ers in 2024. It was a tough year for the red and gold, but the veteran had a decent year as he recorded 8.5 sacks. That may not seem that great, but keep in mind the team leader in sacks for San Francisco last season was Bryce Huff with four.
Floyd was a casualty of the cost-cutting measures the Niners employed last offseason. General manager John Lynch sought to make the roster younger and cheaper, and a 33-year-old edge rusher who was owed $10 million for 2025 did not fit into that calculus, so he was released.
Literally the next day, the Atlanta Falcons swooped in and signed Floyd to a one-year deal worth $10 million. Morris was obviously the head coach of the Falcons at the time and had familiarity with Floyd dating back to his days as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams.
Floyd didn't have an outstanding 2025 as he recorded just 3.5 sacks with Atlanta across 15 starts, which was his lowest sack output since 2019.
But one underrated thing about Floyd is that he has started 15 games or more in every season since 2018. For a team that dealt with as many injuries as the Niners, having a player who is on the field that consistently would be amazing.
Of course, Floyd is going to be age 34 next season, and he is not the player he once was. But at this stage in his career, he could serve as a solid backup and depth piece for the Niners.
The plan is for Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams to be back at edge rusher next season, but the Niners will need depth behind them. Yetur Gross-Matos, Clelin Ferrell, Sam Okuayinonu, and Robert Beal could all depart this offseason, potentially, so the 49ers may need to rebuild their edge rusher depth.
Floyd would not be as exciting as adding Trey Hendrickson or trading for Maxx Crosby, but he is a solid depth piece to have and his connection with Morris makes a reunion possible.