The Atlanta Falcons are leaving no stone unturned in the search for their next head coach. With a roster of interviews that's starting to resemble the guest list for an A-list Hollywood party, the NFL team has now included both Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik in their exhaustive hunt. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the Falcons chatted with Johnson following a playoff win and spoke virtually with Slowik after the Texans' playoff loss.
Johnson, at 37, took the reins of the Lions' offense in 2022, while Slowik, 36 years young, is a hot commodity after turning around the Texans' offensive fate and molding the talents of rookie sensation C.J. Stroud. He led Houston's charge from a measly three-win season in 2022 to an AFC South title and first-round playoff victory. Not a bad day's work, if you ask me. Sure, they got trampled by Baltimore in the playoffs, but that's football, folks. According to the breakdown by Atlanta News First, Slowik garnered attention for his virtual interview "shortly after Houston’s 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional playoffs on Saturday."
Yet, for all the new blood being considered, the interviews that really have tongues wagging are those featuring the likes of Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh—two names that weigh more than the Lombardi Trophy. Belichick, the wizard behind the Patriots and his six Super Bowl rings, has already graced the Falcons with his presence twice. Harbaugh, the man who took Michigan to college glory, is said to be angling for another crack at the big leagues.
But let's not stop there. They've also scoured through the coaching cupboards of the Rams, Bills, Lions, Ravens, Bengals, 49ers, Panthers, and Eagles. Raheem Morris, Joe Brady, Aaron Glenn, Mike Macdonald, Brian Callahan, Steve Wilks, Ejiro Evero, Anthony Weaver, and Brian Johnson—these names have all been given the once-over by Atlanta's brain trust. It all follows a disappointing swan song for former head coach Arthur Smith, who got the heave-ho after charting the same 7-10 season three times in a row. The Falcons confirmed that this parade of potential head honchos marks their effort to turn the page and start anew. As they always say, there’s no rest for the weary—or is it the wicked? In any case, for the Falcons, there’s clearly no rest until that head coaching seat is filled.
