Falcons Facing Another Crossroads as Raheem Morris Era Teeters
When the Atlanta Falcons hired Raheem Morris nearly two years ago, it was a move that caught the league off guard. With legendary coach Bill Belichick heavily rumored to be in the mix, Arthur Blank instead turned to a familiar face in Morris, then the Rams’ defensive coordinator.
The thinking was clear: bring in someone with organizational ties, defensive chops, and a steady hand. But fast forward to the present, and the results just haven’t matched the expectations - even the modest ones.
Morris has posted an 8-9 record in his first season and currently sits at 6-9 with two games left in Year 2. For a roster that’s not short on talent, that’s simply not good enough. And now, with another postseason slipping through their fingers, the whispers around the league are growing louder: the Falcons could be preparing to hit the reset button once again.
NFL insider James Palmer recently reported that momentum is building toward a potential coaching change in Atlanta, with the organization reportedly evaluating everything - from general manager Terry Fontenot “on down.” That’s a pretty clear signal that ownership is taking a hard look at the entire football operation.
A Team That Can’t Get in Sync
The most frustrating part for Falcons fans? This team has shown flashes.
They’ve knocked off playoff-caliber opponents - like that impressive win over Buffalo earlier in the season - but they’ve never been able to string together consistent performances. When the offense finds rhythm, the defense springs a leak.
When the defense locks in, the offense stalls. And special teams?
Let’s just say that phase hasn’t exactly been a strength.
That kind of inconsistency falls at the feet of the head coach. Morris was brought in to stabilize a franchise that had been stuck in neutral. Instead, the Falcons have remained mired in the same cycle of underachievement.
Fontenot’s Roster Building Under the Microscope
Terry Fontenot isn’t escaping scrutiny either. While he’s done a respectable job assembling a starting lineup with some real top-end talent, the lack of depth has been glaring - and costly. Nowhere is that more obvious than at wide receiver.
Coming into the year, the trio of Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud III looked promising on paper. But injuries and underperformance have turned that group into a liability.
Mooney hasn’t lived up to expectations, McCloud hasn’t delivered, and the fallback options - Casey Washington and KhaDarel Hodge - haven’t been able to pick up the slack. It’s fair to question whether the front office miscalculated the risk-reward balance at that position.
Still, among fans, the focus seems to be more on Morris’ job security than Fontenot’s. And that makes sense. Coaches are judged by wins and losses, and Morris simply hasn’t delivered enough of the former.
The McKay Factor
One name that continues to stir frustration among the fanbase is CEO Rich McKay. According to reports, McKay is no longer involved in football operations - at least officially.
But his fingerprints have been on major decisions in recent years, including the hires of both Arthur Smith and Raheem Morris. Whether or not he’s still pulling strings behind the scenes, many fans see him as a common thread in the team’s struggles.
Palmer’s report suggests McKay won’t be part of any potential shake-up, which may not sit well with a fanbase hungry for accountability at every level.
Change Could Be Coming - and Soon
At this point, the writing feels like it’s on the wall. Arthur Blank, known for his patience and loyalty, is reportedly growing more restless.
And with the team once again staring down a losing season, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment. The Falcons haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, and the clock is ticking on a talented core that’s being wasted in mediocrity.
Whether it’s Morris, Fontenot, or someone else, change feels inevitable. What remains to be seen is how sweeping that change will be - and whether it will finally put Atlanta back on a path toward relevance.
For now, Falcons fans are left waiting. But at least there’s one thing they can take solace in: ownership is paying attention. And that, in itself, might be the first step toward getting this franchise back on track.