New San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris discusses a past rivalry with star receiver Deebo Samuel, describing it as “hated” during the time he faced Samuel as an opponent. Multiple reports cite Morris explaining that his competitive mindset led to strong dislike of Samuel’s play when the teams met, including during Samuel’s prior stints with the 49ers as well as periods when he was a focal point for opposing game plans.
With Morris now on the 49ers’ staff, the dynamic changes: instead of preparing to defend Samuel, he is teammates with the receiver. The reports frame the comments as a humorous anecdote about NFL competitiveness rather than a substantive dispute, noting that Morris portrays the “hated” language as part of how coaches and players approach matchups. The story is presented as part of Morris’s transition into his new role and his adjustment to working alongside the offensive talent he previously had to stop.
