49ers reportedly hiring Jerry Gray for key defensive coach role
“Gray brings decades of NFL experience as both a player and coach. A first-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 1985, he spent six seasons with the franchise before closing his playing career with the Houston Oilers in 1992 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993.
He began his coaching career at SMU (1995–1996) as a defensive backs coach before breaking into the NFL with the Tennessee Titans organization in 1997. Gray helped guide the franchise to Super Bowl XXXIV during the 1999 season.
Gray later served as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator from 2001 to 2005. He then worked as a defensive backs coach with Washington (then the Washington Redskins) from 2006 to 2009 and with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
He returned to Tennessee as defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2013, then spent six seasons (2014–2019) coaching defensive backs for the Minnesota Vikings and three more (2020–2022) with the Packers. Most recently, Gray spent three seasons (2023–2025) as assistant head coach and defensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons.
The move reunites Gray with Morris, his former head coach in Atlanta, and adds a seasoned defensive mind to a 49ers staff aiming to reestablish its dominance in 2026.”
49ers offseason advice: Trade Mac Jones, pass on Maxx Crosby, address EMF (paywall)
“But they can replace Jennings, a pending free agent, with Colts’ free-agent wide receiver Alec Pierce, who could reach the open market with Indianapolis needing to prioritize re-signing QB Daniel Jones.
Jennings has a plodding 40-yard dash time (4.72 seconds) and averaged 11.7 yards per catch last season. Pierce has a blazing 40 (4.41) and has led the NFL in yards per catch the past two seasons, averaging 21.3 and 22.3 yards, respectively, while collecting 1,827 receiving yards. Pierce, 25, has already introduced himself to the 49ers: He had touchdown catches of 20 and 16 yards in the 49ers’ 48-27 win in December.
Swapping Jennings for Pierce, financially, could be a wash. Per spotrac.com, Jennings is projected to sign a contract that averages $22.6 million annually. Pierce checks in at $20.2 million.”
Trade or release? 49ers insider weighs in on Brandon Aiyuk’s future
““I would think, at some point, he will be released,” Maiocco said. “I can’t imagine any team would trade for him. I don’t even know, at this point, we haven’t heard from Brandon, so we don’t know if he wants to continue playing football. That’s where this is, as far as the unanswered questions.”
“So, from the 49ers’ standpoint, I can assure you that they have gone through the NFL Management Council and everything else, as far as just making sure that it’s all up to code,” Maiocco said.
“I don’t, no, because I think that any team that wants him, the 49ers would have to be open and honest about what they dealt with,” Maiocco said. “And Brandon—yeah, I just don’t see it. Every year, there are plenty of good players available in free agency, there’s plenty of good players available in the draft, and I just don’t know, at this point, that anybody really knows what they’d be getting with Brandon Aiyuk.”
“There’s a part of me that would be pleasantly surprised, but surprised if we even see him in the NFL, playing in a regular-season game next season,” Maiocco said. “I just don’t know, and I don’t think anybody really knows where he is, as far as what he views as his next step professionally.”
49ers lose key Kyle Shanahan assistant to NFC West rival Seahawks
“According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Seattle Seahawks are hiring longtime 49ers assistant Brian Fleury as their new offensive coordinator. He replaces Klint Kubiak, who departed to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.”
49ers add ‘three-down disruptor’ in 2026 7-round NFL mock draft
“Elijah has San Francisco selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the No. 27 overall pick.
“The 49ers may be looking to add depth and explosiveness to their defensive front, and Florida’s Caleb Banks could provide exactly that,” Elijah wrote. “When fully healthy, Banks projects as a three-down disruptor capable of dominating the interior and pressuring quarterbacks.
“While injuries have slowed his progress, Banks’ upside remains undeniable. His combination of size, athleticism, and raw power gives the 49ers a potential game-changing presence up front, one who can impact both the run and pass and elevate the effectiveness of the entire defensive line.”
“With the 49ers in need of a dynamic wide receiver, [USC WR Ja’Kobi] Lane stands out as a prime candidate,” Elijah explained. “At 6-foot-4, he combines size, length, and athleticism to create mismatches, particularly in the red zone.”
49ers lose longtime assistant Brian Fleury to Super Bowl-champion Seahawks (paywall)
“Fleury played a role in game-planning for the 49ers and was among the coaches who assisted with play-calling during games. Last month, Shanahan explained that offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, offensive line coach Chris Foerster and Fleury serve as in-game sounding boards and offer suggestions.
“Those are the guys I rely on through play-calling throughout the game,” Shanahan said. “It’s not like I’m just in silence there calling every play. I’m discussing it with the guys we’ve prepared with in the week.”
Fleury was given the title of run game coordinator last year, which was his latest promotion after he joined the 49ers as a defensive quality control coach in 2019. Fleury served as an offensive quality control coach (2020-21) before he spent the past four seasons coaching tight ends.