By Samir Ajy
In a surprising, yet also unsurprising, turn of events, another house cleaning in Atlanta is in full
force. Just hours after their 19–17 victory over the New Orleans Saints, completing a season
sweep over their archrival for the first time since 2016, Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced
that head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot had been relieved of their
duties. After a disappointing end to a highly anticipated 2024 campaign, both Morris and
Fontenot were presumed to be on the hot seat entering this season, once again with aspirations
of winning a vulnerable NFC South division and ending a now eight-year playoff drought in
Atlanta.
With the team sitting at 4–9 in December, it felt as if the fates of both men were sealed and it
was only a matter of when Blank decided to pull the plug. Then, after rattling off wins at Tampa
Bay, Arizona, and then against the heavily favored Los Angeles Rams at home, the feeling
surrounding the Falcons from the outside was that Morris, in particular, had done just enough to
save his job for the time being. However, contrary to Dan Quinn in 2019, a late-season surge
after the team was eliminated did not sway Blank’s decision. It is fair to argue that two seasons
may not be long enough of a leash for a head coach and I would normally agree with that
sentiment and the prospect of giving Morris a third year. However, it is worth noting that this is
not his first go-round as a head coach in the National Football League. After finishing with 17-31
win-loss record in Tampa Bay from 2009-2011, he serves as an assistant coach for several NFL
teams, including a six-year stint serving in numerous roles on Dan Quinn’s coaching staff from
2015-2020. Morris then spent three years as a defenisbve coordinator for the Los Angeles
Rams, winning a Super Bowl in 2021. However, the growth as a head coach that the Falcons
and their fans were hoping for from Morris simply was not present. From mishandling a shoulder
injury to Kirk Cousins in 2024, lackluster coordinator hires, and clock-management mishaps,
Morris’ tenure in Atlanta was nothing short of a disappointment after his return was met with a
great deal of fanfare and expectations.
Likewise, Fontenot, who was hired in 2021, compiled a 37–48 record as the team’s general
manager, failing to oversee a single winning season in any of his five seasons in Atlanta.
Fontenot did some good things during his time here, no denying that. His high points include the
extensions of Chris Lindstrom and A.J. Terrell, the free-agent signings of Cordarrelle Patterson,
Jessie Bates, Kaden Ellis, and Devin Deablo, along with the draft selections of Drake London,
Tyler Allgeier, Bijan Robinson, Matthew Bergeron, Zach Harrison, Ruke Orhorhoro, and
Brandon Dorlus. Atlanta’s 2025 draft class was undoubtedly Fontenot’s best work as general
manager, producing a class that includes Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts, and
Billy Bowman Jr., providing the franchise with young defensive cornerstones to build around for
the first time in many years.
However, there are simply too many blemishes, with an overall subpar draft record combined
with a lack of success on the field, to justify retaining Fontenot—especially after five losing
seasons without a playoff berth. He oversaw the drafting of tight end Kyle Pitts fourth overall in
- Notable perennial All-Pro players taken after Pitts include Penei Sewell, Ja’Marr Chase,
Micah Parsons, and Patrick Surtain II. Pitts has had an up-and-down career in Atlanta, and his
future with the team is unknown as he is set to hit the open market as a free agent. Moreover,
Fontenot and the Falcons took a major gamble when they drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
fourth overall, just weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. Penix is
currently undergoing rehab from his third torn ACL since 2018 and neither Cousins nor Penix
has established themselves as the team’s long-term answer under center. Likewise, Fontenot
was known for being one of the more aggressive general managers, when it came to his
tendency to trade draft picks to players and prospects he and his front office liked. The lack of
draft capital has played a role in the team’s lack of depth at pivotal positions. Nonetheless, the
Falcons quarterback, situation is arguably the biggest reason as to why Fontenot is out of a job
today.
Despite their failures to turn the Falcons into a winner, both men are highly respected individuals
around the league and by their players, representing the organization and the city of Atlanta with
class and dignity during their time here. I fully expect Morris to land on his feet elsewhere as a
defensive coordinator, possibly reuniting with longtime friend and current Washington
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, who served as Atlanta’s head coach from 2015–2020. It
is likely that Fontenot returns to New Orleans in a front office role, where he spent nearly two
decades before serving as Falcons general manager. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the ongoing
60-year-long journey to find the right individuals to turn the franchise into a consistent winner
continues.
