The Atlanta Falcons closed out their 2025 season with a 19-17 win over division rival New Orleans Saints in Week 18. The victory marked Atlanta’s fourth straight, leading many to believe the late surge might be enough to save second-year head coach Raheem Morris’ job.
It wasn’t.
Just hours after the win, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons had fired Morris. He wasn’t the only casualty. General manager Terry Fontenot, who had been with the organization since 2021, was also dismissed.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank had hired Sportsology weeks earlier to conduct a “health check” of the organization. While Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the evaluation was “better than some on the outside might think,” the firings of Morris and Fontenot made it clear the review carried real weight — and its influence may not be finished.
“The Falcons say the searches for head coach and general manager will begin immediately,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. “ZRG Partners will assist on the HC search and Sportsology Group will assist on the GM search. No timeline has been set for completion of either search, but they will occur concurrently.”
Who Could Replace Raheem Morris as Falcons Head Coach?
An expected list of candidates will quickly begin circulating as Atlanta searches for its next head coach. Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley are two assistants on opposite sides of the ball who have long been rumored to be top candidates during this coaching cycle.
“I believe they want someone with previous head coaching experience from the offensive side of the ball who has developed a quarterback before,” insider Benjamin Allbright said.
While interviews cannot formally begin until three days after the regular-season finale, Guardian US’s Ollie Connolly suggested Atlanta may already have a direction in mind.
“Falcons expected to interview a bunch of candidates,” Connolly said. “But belief among coaches who’ve back-channeled is that they’ve already picked their guy.”
Because interviews have not yet begun, that speculation has led some to believe the candidate could be someone currently outside the NFL. Names that could fit that profile include former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden, former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, or even a figure from the college ranks such as North Carolina’s Bill Belichick, who was interviewed during Atlanta’s previous coaching search.
Matt Ryan Expected to Play Major Role in Falcons Front Office
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported weeks earlier that former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had been offered a “significant” front-office role by Blank. Neither Ryan nor Blank has publicly commented since, but following the firings of Morris and Fontenot, it now appears increasingly likely Ryan will step into that position.
Connolly believes Ryan will be central to the organization’s next steps.
“Matt Ryan will move into the key decision-making position, most likely — or at least lead the searches,” Connolly said. “That’s what’s been communicated to candidates.”
Connolly also reported that Blank was “pissed at the process that led to the current structure” of the team.
Blank, 83, has been chasing a Super Bowl championship since purchasing the franchise in 2002. The Falcons came agonizingly close in Super Bowl LI, falling to the New England Patriots in the infamous 28-3 collapse. Since then, Atlanta has made the playoffs just once — the following season — and has now missed the postseason eight consecutive years.
Falcons’ Next Head Coach Might Already Be Decided: Report