The Atlanta Falcons have scored a new head coach, plucking Raheem Morris from the Los Angeles Rams to take the helm, the club announced. Morris, who previously served as interim head coach for the Falcons after Dan Quinn's departure in 2020, is poised to fill the leadership gap left by Arthur Smith, who was shown the door following a trio of 7-10 seasons that left fans clamoring for change.
Morris' defensive acumen likely tipped the scales in his favor as he impressed Falcons owner Arthur Blank in an interview that was described as a grand slam, "killed the interview" a source divulged to CBS Sports. The new head coach's second act with the team carries the weight of expectation, not to mention the challenge of righting a ship that hasn't seen a winning season since 2017, his expertise will be put to the test as the Falcons aim to claw their way back from the NFL's depths, which they've been mired in for way too long if fans have any say in the matter.
A vigorous coaching search that saw the Falcons sift through a staggering 14 candidates, including the likes of NFL heavyweight Bill Belichick, came to a close with Atlanta's executive group electing to go with Morris. Arthur Blank's organization, as reported by Atlanta News First, positions General Manager Terry Fontenot and Morris as direct reports in a reshuffled leadership deck, while key management figures Rich McKay and Greg Beadles remain in their roles to steer day-to-day steadiness.
The defensive savant guided the Rams to a modest finish last season, with a defense ranked 20th in yards allowed per game and 19th in points surrendered; he brings to Atlanta a skill set honed in high-stakes matchups, including a touchdown drive in the Super Bowl victory in 2021. A stamp of approval was swiftly offered by star corner Jalen Ramsey, who praised his former coach on social media, saying "Falcons got one of, if not the best coach in the NFL forreal!", a statement that echoes the confidence the organization clearly has in their choice despite the team's recent knack for kicking off strong only to swoon as the postseason beckons.
Addressing the persistent question marks lingering over the quarterback position will be a foremost priority for Morris, a conundrum that the franchise fumbled since the exit of all-time great Matt Ryan. The Falcons, reluctant to roll the dice on Lamar Jackson due to injury concerns and after striking out with Deshaun Watson, wavered between third-round draft pick Desmond Ridder and veteran Taylor Heinicke last season. With Morris now at the reins, the Falcons are counting on his leadership to clear the air and chart a course back to competitive relevancy in the NFL landscape.
