The Atlanta Falcons have made a significant decision in their search for a new head coach. According to sources, the team plans to hire Raheem Morris for the position, making him the first former NFL head coach that Falcons owner Arthur Blank has hired during his ownership tenure. This move marks a return to the Falcons for Morris, who previously served as the team’s interim coach for 11 games in 2020.
Morris had an extensive coaching career before landing this opportunity with the Falcons. He spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, even winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2021. Prior to his time with the Rams, Morris was the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, where he compiled a record of 17-31.
After his stint with the Buccaneers, Morris joined the Washington Football Team as their defensive backs coach from 2012 to 2014. He then returned to the Falcons, first as the defensive pass game coordinator in 2015 and later as the wide receivers coach from 2016 to 2019. In 2020, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and eventually became the interim head coach after Dan Quinn was fired.
Now, Morris has been given another chance to lead the Falcons as their full-time head coach. This decision comes after an extensive search that included interviews with 14 candidates, including notable names like Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel, and Jim Harbaugh. Ultimately, the Falcons decided to go back to their past and bring Morris back into the fold.
One of Morris’ main tasks will be to address the team’s quarterback situation. The Falcons struggled in that area last season, which was one of the reasons why former head coach Arthur Smith was fired. With Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder currently on the roster, Morris will need to evaluate their abilities and make a decision on who will lead the team moving forward.
In addition to the quarterback position, Morris will inherit a defense that features standout players like safety Jessie Bates III, cornerback A.J. Terrell, and defensive lineman Grady Jarrett. On offense, he will have talented skill-position players such as tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London, and running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. He will also have the familiarity of working with offensive linemen Jake Matthews and Chris Lindstrom, who were with the team during his previous stint.
Morris’ hiring represents a new chapter for the Falcons as they look to solidify their future. With his experience as a head coach and success as a defensive coordinator, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the team. As he assembles his coaching staff and begins his work, Falcons fans will be eager to see how Morris can shape the team and lead them to success in the upcoming seasons.
