The Atlanta Falcons decided to move on from head coach Raheem Morris after two seasons. Morris finished 16-18 overall, falling well short of expectations and failing to help Atlanta end a playoff drought that has now stretched to eight years.
That decision puts the Falcons in the middle of yet another head coaching search — their third in six years. They’ll also face stiff competition from other teams conducting searches of their own.
Atlanta has already requested interviews with candidates such as Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. But that list is expected to grow significantly in the coming weeks.
One name likely to surface is former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. After 18 seasons, the Ravens shockingly moved on from Harbaugh, and his phone has reportedly been ringing ever since. Whether any of those calls have come from Atlanta remains unclear, but according to SNY TV’s Connor Hughes, the Falcons are very much in the mix.
Falcons Reportedly Want John Harbaugh
It comes as little surprise that nearly every team with a head coaching vacancy — and perhaps even some without one — has interest in Harbaugh, including Atlanta.
“Just about every team has interest in him, obviously,” Hughes said. “But the other team that I’ve heard is increasingly interested is the Falcons.”
Hughes also noted that the New York Giants could be Atlanta’s biggest competition.
“Giants are all-in on John Harbaugh right now,” Hughes said. “He’s the No. 1 coach on their wish list.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean Harbaugh would choose the Giants over the Falcons — or that he would choose either team at all. Ultimately, the decision will come down to which situation Harbaugh believes best fits the next phase of his career.
Atlanta’s situation is further complicated by the fact that the organization is also searching for a new general manager and a newly created president of football operations. Both roles are expected to play a major part in determining the team’s next head coach.
Jeff Saturday Believes Falcons Are a Fit for Harbaugh
During the January 7 episode of ESPN’s “Get Up,” host Mike Greenberg asked former Indianapolis Colts‘ offensive lineman Jeff Saturday which opening he believed made the most sense for Harbaugh.
“Probably the Falcons,” Saturday said.
Saturday explained that while Atlanta will have decisions to make at quarterback in 2026, the roster still offers plenty to like on both sides of the ball.
“I would have told you that was the best job available before the Ravens,” Saturday said. “And also, you’re in a division that’s winnable.”
Fellow panelist Peter Schrager added that Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s urgency could play a major role.
“Eighty-three-year-old Arthur Blank wants nothing more than to win one [Super Bowl],” Schrager said. “So the urgency to bring in John Harbaugh would rise to the top.”
Harbaugh holds a career record of 180-113 and won a Super Bowl during the 2012 season. Since then, the Ravens have gone 11-4 in the postseason, though they’ve missed the playoffs six times during that span.
Despite not returning to the Super Bowl, Harbaugh remains one of the most proven coaches available. If Blank is looking for a sure thing in this hiring cycle, Harbaugh stands out.
Falcons ‘Increasingly Interested’ in 180-Win HC as Giants Pose Major Threat