The Atlanta Falcons decided to part ways with both their head coach, Raheem Morris, and their general manager, Terry Fontenot, late Sunday night after the team’s final game of the regular season.
Morris was only given two seasons in Atlanta. He went 8-9 in both years but showed some serious improvement in the second half of the 2025 season. After starting 4-9, Morris’ Falcons ended the final month of the season on a four-game win streak.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that this win streak was enough for many members of the Falcons organization to expect Morris to be granted another year as head coach.
“Some Falcons players were surprised (as well as upset) by the Raheem Morris firing,” Fowler wrote. “Even though owner Arthur Blank appeared ready to fire Morris after the team’s 3-7 start to the season, Morris clearly did not lose the locker room and players fought their way to a late four-game winning streak.
“Some members of the coaching staff were optimistic that that would be enough to secure a third year for Morris, who should now get coordinator or head-coaching looks in the coming weeks.”
Is Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich The Answer
This early in the hiring process, nobody knows where the Falcons’ front office’s heads are at.
Reporters have already leaked several coaches that are linked to the Atlanta job, including Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, as well as former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
But lost in it all is former New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
Ulbrich’s Falcons tenure started shaky with the Draft Night drama involving his son making prank calls to prospects.
But when the football actually began, Ulbrich’s defense stood strong.
Atlanta’s defense had the seventh-most takeaways in the league with 23. They also set the single-season franchise record with 57 sacks, most of which came off the back of rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who recorded 10.5 in his first NFL season.
Ulbrich is not yet rumored to receive an interview, and with the stacked coaching class in this carousel, I think it is unlikely he will be heavily considered, but the fact that he is already in the building certainly puts the Falcons ahead of the curve.
“Don’t be surprised if the Falcons attempt to keep Ulbrich at defensive coordinator,” Fowler continued. “That could be part of the plan eventually, with Ulbrich staying under a new head coach.”
Keeping Ulbrich at DC could change the direction that Atlanta goes in during the coaching search, potentially allowing the team to target an offense-minded head coach.
Falcons Players ‘Surprised’ And ‘Upset’ By Raheem Morris Firing