The Atlanta Falcons coaching search has focused on future Hall of Fame inductee Bill Belichick, with a belief around the NFL that he could replace Arthur Smith. However, another candidate is emerging with Belichick emerging as a leading option for another job.
Heading into the NFL playoffs, Atlanta was well-positioned to land Belichick. With a top-10 pick and one of the better rosters in the NFC, the Falcons’ organization could offer the former New England Patriots coach the resources he wants.
Related: Atlanta Falcons coaching candidates
However, the implosion of the Dallas Cowboys on Wild Card Weekend might’ve changed things. There’s a strong likelihood that head coach Mike McCarthy is fired and if the Cowboys’ job opens up, it will be the most sought-after by top NFL coaching candidates.
Facing that possibility and with an acknowledgment that Belichick could easily land elsewhere, Atlanta is keeping its options open. In fact, team owner Arthur Blank might have another candidate on his radar in case he can’t land Belichick.
Appearing on NBC, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on Sunday night that Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is emerging as a “name to keep an eye on” among Falcons’ candidates.
“If Belichick ends up not being in play in Atlanta, keep an eye on Rams’ defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. We could see him emerge as the new favorite to become the next coach of the Falcons.”
Mike Florio on Raheem Morris emerging as a leading candidate for the Atlanta Falcons
Related: Atlanta Falcons draft picks 2024
Morris, age 47, has emerged as one of the more popular coaching candidates this cycle. While he had a three-year stint as head coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, many around the league believe Morris has earned a second chance.
While Morris only posted a 17-31 record in Tampa Bay, that requires context. He was only 33 years old when named the Buccaneers’ head coach and he had just one year of experience as a defensive coordinator. Tampa Bay’s organization was a mess at the time, but it allowed Morris to learn from his first head-coaching job.
Before landing in Los Angeles, where he’s spent the last three seasons being mentored by Sean McVay, Morris worked for the Falcons’ organization. He joined Atlanta as an assistant head coach & passing game coordinator in 2015, holding that role until he was promoted to wide receivers coach (2016-’19) and alter defensive coordinator. When the Falcons fired Dan Quinn, Morris finished the season as interim coach.
Morris was beloved by the Falcons’ locker room during his time in Atlanta and he’s maintained that reputation in Los Angeles. Recently voted by the NFL Players Association as one of the most impactful and positive coordinators in the game today, Morris would be a quality hire for the Falcons.
