49ers Hire Eberflus as Defensive Assistant Head Coach

The San Francisco 49ers have hired Matt Eberflus as their assistant head coach for defense, filling a vacancy left by the departure of Gus Bradley to the Tennessee Titans. The move, reported Thursday by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and confirmed by a person familiar with the agreement, adds a veteran coordinator to a defensive staff undergoing significant changes ahead of the 2026 season.

Eberflus, 55, joins under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who was hired earlier this offseason after serving as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2024 to 2025. The role mirrors Bradley's position last year, focusing on supporting Morris in game planning and defensive strategy without calling plays. Sources indicate Eberflus will emphasize takeaways and zone coverage, aligning with the 49ers' typical four-man front scheme under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

The hiring stems from a broader reshuffling on San Francisco's defensive side. Robert Saleh, who spent one season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, left to become head coach of the Titans. Bradley, a longtime collaborator with Saleh from their Seattle Seahawks days in 2011 and 2012, followed as Tennessee's defensive coordinator....