The Atlanta Falcons made headlines this offseason with a move that caught a lot of people off guard: they parted ways with head coach Raheem Morris just after a Week 18 win over the New Orleans Saints. It wasn’t just Morris who was shown the door-general manager Terry Fontenot was also let go, signaling a full reset in Atlanta’s front office and coaching staff.
What made the timing so surprising was the Falcons' late-season surge. Morris had guided the team to four straight wins to close out the year, finishing his tenure with a 16-18 overall record.
That kind of momentum typically buys a coach more time, not less. But owner Arthur Blank clearly saw an opportunity to pivot in a new direction-and he didn’t hesitate.
Still, Morris may not be unemployed for long. There are four NFL teams still searching for their next head coach, and Morris is reportedly in the thick of at least one of those races. According to insider reports, the Arizona Cardinals view Morris as one of three finalists for their head coaching vacancy, alongside Dolphins linebackers coach Anthony Campanile and Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
Morris brings a wealth of experience to the table. He’s been around the league in multiple roles-on both sides of the ball-and has already held head coaching duties twice, including an interim stint in Atlanta before getting the full-time job. That kind of résumé stands out, especially for a team like Arizona that’s trying to build something sustainable around a young core.
It doesn’t hurt that Morris already has a recent win over the Cardinals under his belt. His Falcons beat Arizona in Week 16, a game that showcased the kind of defensive discipline and offensive balance that helped Atlanta close the season strong.
Morris also interviewed with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans during this hiring cycle, but both of those jobs have since been filled. The Giants brought in John Harbaugh, while the Titans tapped former Jets head coach Robert Saleh to lead their next chapter.
Back in Atlanta, the Falcons didn’t waste much time filling the vacancy left by Morris. They named Kevin Stefanski their new head coach, making him the 20th in franchise history. Stefanski, who previously coached the Browns, brings a reputation for offensive innovation and steady leadership-traits the Falcons hope will bring consistency to a roster that has flashed potential but struggled to find its identity.
One of Stefanski’s first moves was to retain defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, a holdover from Morris’ staff. That continuity on defense could be key, especially with a unit that showed real growth late in the season. On the offensive side, Stefanski brought in Tommy Rees as the new coordinator, a hire that signals a fresh approach to how Atlanta plans to move the ball in 2026 and beyond.
The Falcons still have one major piece of the puzzle left to fill: general manager. The search is ongoing, with at least six candidates interviewed so far.
Among the names in the mix are former Jets GM Joe Douglas and Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham. Whoever lands the job will be tasked with aligning the front office vision with Stefanski’s on-field strategy-a critical step for a franchise that’s clearly aiming to turn the page.
As for Morris, his next chapter could be right around the corner. He’s still very much in demand, and if Arizona decides to go with experience and leadership, he might not be on the market much longer.