Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has a lot of respect for the man now leading the San Francisco 49ers’ defense.
Ahead of Week 7, Robinson called Raheem Morris a “father figure” and a “big brother” while speaking with reporters Wednesday.
“I’m super excited to play him,” Robinson said. “Obviously he’s a father figure, big brother to me, and to get to play him and his defense, and just how well they’ve been doing, is a testament to him and what he’s done. And then obviously just the players that follow him, man.”
Morris was the Falcons’ head coach in 2024 and 2025 before he was fired. He joined the 49ers as defensive coordinator in 2026. Robinson played for him in Atlanta, so he knows Morris well.
That relationship won’t make Sunday any easier for Robinson. He said he is looking forward to testing himself against a defense that has been playing well.
“I’m super excited to get to go out there and compete against them, especially how they’ve been rolling and coming in undefeated,” Robinson said. “I think it’s gonna be a great match.”
Not many defenses have been able to stop Robinson this year. He has 641 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 111 carries, plus 20 catches for 144 yards and a score, for 785 scrimmage yards. He ran for 145 yards at New Orleans and 194 at Green Bay.
San Francisco has been stingy against the run, though, allowing 541 rushing yards on 150 carries and only three rushing touchdowns. The 49ers rank seventh in the NFL in both rushing yards and yards per carry allowed, and they have given up the fourth-fewest rushing scores.
It's a good matchup for both sides, but one with a little extra heat for Morris facing his former team.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Falcons star calls 49ers coach ‘a father figure’ ahead of Week 7 game