The San Francisco 49ers reportedly found their new defensive coordinator on Sunday, hiring former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. The team also interviewed two other candidates: 49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley and Las Vegas Raiders pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Joe Woods.
With Bradley passed over for the role, one NFL insider believes he could be a top candidate for other defensive coordinator openings in the league. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated named the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals as potential landing spots for Bradley.
“Some moving parts —With Raheem Morris in as 49ers DC, market is moving on Gus Bradley,” Breer wrote. “Either the Titans or Cardinals could hire him as DC, with Arizona having the edge of making him play-caller.”
Some moving parts —With Raheem Morris in as 49ers DC, market is moving on Gus Bradley. Either the Titans or Cardinals could hire him as DC, with Arizona having the edge of making him play-caller. If Tennessee misses on Bradley, Atlanta’s Mike Rutenberg is a name to watch.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 1, 2026
There’s a clear connection with the Titans, as former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is now Tennessee’s head coach.
Bradley joined the 49ers just last season but brings extensive experience as a defensive coordinator. He previously held the role with the Indianapolis Colts (2022–2024), Las Vegas Raiders (2021), Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2020), and Seattle Seahawks (2009–2012).
In addition, Bradley served as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013 to 2016 and worked alongside Saleh during their tenures with the Seahawks and Jaguars.
“Gus is great,” cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said recently of Bradley. “Gus helped us a lot, just figuring out stuff in the strike zone areas. He was in charge of the red zone. He just had so much knowledge for us.”
With his experience, Bradley could be a sought-after defensive mind, with multiple teams potentially looking to add him to their coaching staffs.