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The Atlanta Falcons didn’t have to think much about their future as their season ended Sunday.
The team didn’t even wait for Black Monday, firing head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night.
The Falcons hired Morris ahead of the 2024 season, selecting him over candidates such as Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Macdonald and Ben Johnson.
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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis/Image Images)
But Morris’ results were not what the Falcons wanted, going 8-9 in consecutive seasons.
“I have a great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,” owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. “The decision to walk away from people who represent the organization so well and have a shared commitment to the values that are important to the organization is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leaders. I wish Raheem and Terry the best in their future endeavors.”
Oddly enough, the team’s record is the same as the division champion Carolina Panthers, so the Falcons were just one win away from making the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. One of those losses was to the New York Jets, who would have had the first pick in 2026 instead of the second if the outcome of that game had been reversed.
Atlanta ended up winning their last four games, but it wasn’t enough for them, nor for Morris and Fontenot.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Brett Davis/Image Images)
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Morris previously served as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, winning a Super Bowl with them. He held numerous positions with the Falcons before going to Los Angeles, including serving as their interim head coach in 2020.
Morris initially replaced Arthur Smith, who served as the team’s head coach for three seasons. Smith is now the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who would make the playoffs with a win Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
Perhaps the Falcons are kicking themselves for choosing Morris over several others. Vrabel won the AFC East in his first season with the New England Patriots, Johnson won the NFC North in his first year with the Chicago Bears and Harbaugh is back in the playoffs with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, center, stands with his team while wearing an Apalachee High School jersey following a recent school shooting before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
There should be several names available for the Falcons, who are desperate to get the most out of Michael Penix Jr., who will begin his third NFL season in September.
