The NFL coaching carousel is still spinning, but the Atlanta Falcons didn’t waste any time locking in their next leader. They made an early move by hiring Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach, becoming just the second team to fill its vacancy this cycle after the Giants brought in John Harbaugh.
Atlanta’s decision to part ways with Raheem Morris after two seasons wasn’t exactly shocking. The Falcons went 16-18 under Morris, and after another year of falling short of expectations - and more importantly, missing the playoffs - the organization decided it was time for a reset. That reset didn’t stop with Morris; general manager Terry Fontenot was also shown the door.
Now, Morris finds himself back on the market. While a return to the head coaching ranks isn’t guaranteed, he remains a name to watch. At the very least, he’s a strong candidate for a defensive coordinator role - a position where he’s already proven his value in previous stops.
But there may still be a path back to the big chair.
According to Adam Schefter on The Pat McAfee Show, the Arizona Cardinals are exploring multiple options as they look to fill their own head coaching vacancy. Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has already interviewed, but Schefter noted that the Cardinals are also considering Raheem Morris and Mike LaFleur.
Arizona is coming off another rough season, one that ultimately led to the dismissal of Jonathan Gannon. And with uncertainty surrounding quarterback Kyler Murray’s future in the desert, the Cardinals are clearly at a crossroads.
That kind of instability - especially at the quarterback position - can be both a blessing and a curse for an incoming head coach. On one hand, it opens the door for a full rebuild.
On the other, it means starting from scratch without a clear leader under center.
If Morris were to land in Arizona, he’d be inheriting a roster that has a few intriguing pieces but lacks the overall talent he had to work with in Atlanta. It wouldn’t be a plug-and-play situation - it would be a project. And for a coach looking to reestablish himself, that kind of challenge can be both risky and rewarding.
As it stands, a coordinator role in 2026 might be the more likely outcome for Morris. But with Schefter reporting that he’s still on the radar for head coaching interviews, particularly in Arizona, it’s a situation worth watching. The Cardinals are clearly casting a wide net, and Morris’ name being in the mix means he’s still very much in the conversation.
Whether he ends up calling plays or calling the shots, Raheem Morris isn’t done making noise in the NFL coaching ranks just yet.