Report: Rams targeting Raheem Morris as next defensive coordinator

The Los Angeles Rams have identified their target to replace Brandon Staley as the team’s defensive coordinator. According to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Rams are focusing on former Falcons interim head coach and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

Morris was Atlanta’s interim coach for the final 11 games of the season after Dan Quinn was fired, going 4-7 during that stretch. The Falcons’ defense got off to a terrible start by allowing at least 30 points in four of their first five games, but they turned things around a bit once Morris transitioned to interim coach.

Morris, 44, was head coach of the Buccaneers from 2009-2011, his first and only stint as a full-time head coach. Tampa Bay went 17-31 in that span and after Morris was fired, he joined Washington as the secondary coach from 2012-2014 – which is where he crossed paths with Sean McVay for a second time; they also worked on the same staff in Tampa Bay.

He also has experience on the offensive side of the ball, coaching Atlanta’s wide receivers from 2016-2019.

The Rams ranked first in scoring defense and yards allowed, so Morris will have some big shoes to fill if he does get the job.