Jeremy Fowler, Marc Raimondi, Dan Graziano and Matt Miller reported on this story.
ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons cleaned house Sunday night despite ending the season on a four-game winning streak.
The organization fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The search for candidates for both positions will begin immediately and will be carried out simultaneously in accordance with the franchise.
The Falcons haven't made the playoffs or won a game since 2017, and owner Arthur Blank's patience is wearing thin. Fontenot failed to create a winning team during his five years as general manager. Morris went 8-9 in both seasons. The Falcons had a four-game losing streak in 2024 and a five-game losing streak in 2025.
Meanwhile, the team still hasn't found a successor for franchise quarterback Matt Ryan, who was traded in 2021.
The Falcons have a good young core at running back. Sesame Robinsonwide receiver Drake London and edge rushers James Pierce Jr.. And Jalon Walker — but the next regime won't have the benefit of a 2026 first-round pick. Defender Michael Penix Jr.. is located away from torn ACL and the jury is still out on whether he can become a major league QB. He was supposed to be a backup Kirk Cousinswhom the Falcons signed to a $100 million deal weeks before Penix was drafted. But Cousins struggled and was injured in 2024, forcing Penix to play late in his rookie season, which happened earlier than expected.
National NFL reporters Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi and NFL draft analyst Matt Miller look at these moves from different perspectives.
Why didn't a four-game winning streak save their jobs?
Fowler: Because the victories, while noble and proof that Morris had not lost the locker room, were largely empty. The Falcons needed that intensity after going 3-7 through their first 10 games. At that point, league sources expected Atlanta to make changes. The winning streak has left some employees cautiously optimistic. But this was not enough.
Why did the owners decide to fire both at the same time?
Fowler: The Falcons realized a complete reset was necessary. GM Terry Fontenot was there for five years and didn't record a single winning record. Teams appreciate the synergy of hiring a general manager and head coach at the same time so they can grow together. Atlanta recently hired consulting firm Sportsology to evaluate football operations and is also considering adding Ryan to a front office role. These two steps scream, “We need change.” So Blank takes the initiative to renovate his building.
How much of a factor was how the QB situation unfolded?
Fowler: Quite big. Essentially, the Falcons got two big quarterback hits in Penix and Cousins, but neither made much progress. The injury to Penix, who stayed true to his collegiate calling card as an injury-prone prospect, skewed Fontenot's draft profile a bit.
Morris' offense for the Penix, led by Zach Robinson, didn't sit well with many scouts and coaches, who felt he needed more vertical attack to take advantage of his arm strength.
How attractive are the vacancies for future candidates?
Fowler: This is one of the best jobs available. Robinson and a good offensive line will attract several top candidates on offense. And the defense is loaded with young talent. However, the owner, as he proves, is not the most patient. But the Falcons are in a very winnable division in the national powerhouse with a blank canvas that urgently needs improvement on the field.
What problems will the new grandmaster and coach have to face?
Raimondi: It remains unclear who the team's starting quarterback will be in Week 1 of next season and beyond. Penix could be out until at least training camp with a torn ACL. And by the way, this is his third ACL surgery in eight seasons. Penix tore his right ACL twice in college. On top of that, Penix has been inconsistent in 12 career starts, and no one knows if he can become a franchise quarterback.
The Falcons also don't have a 2026 first-round draft pick or a ton of cap space. Releasing Cousins after June 1 could save them about $30 million, but there are a lot of holes to fill. Fontenot has largely neglected the trenches, and the Falcons will need help on both lines and in the secondary.
Which type of candidate would be considered the strongest for both positions?
Graziano: The Falcons announced that they have hired two search firms, one for a head coach and one for a general manager, but that seems to miss the point entirely. They need to find someone (ideally a coach) who can develop and maintain a vision and plan for the entire organization. They need to make sure that the coach and GM agree on every decision. That's how it works in places like San Francisco, where the 49ers hired a coach first and let him choose the general manager, or Jacksonville, where the coach brought in his favorite general manager to work with the team president, but all three are neatly aligned.
Atlanta will need to find someone who can be Penix's Ben Johnson. Caleb Williams and build the roster around a talented young defenseman. First find a coach, ask him what kind of grandmaster he wants to work with, hire that guy and see how they cook. Kevin Stefanski? Brian Flores with a reliable offensive coordinator? Damn Mike Tomlin if he becomes available? Find your guy who is clearly a GUY and let him understand what your organization should be about. There is no other correct way to do this.
How much of a detriment would it be for GM candidates not to have a first-round pick?
Miller: Trade a 2026 first-round pick to the Rams to get James Pierce Jr.. looks like a smart move given the rookie's success (his 10.5 sacks are a franchise rookie record) and the lack of talent in this year's draft.
The Falcons have talented running backs as well as an impressive core group on defense, so the lack of a first-round pick in a draft class that has only 11 players on my board with true first-round grades shouldn't be a deterrent for new GM candidates. Of course, the rebuilding job will be a little tougher without the first-rounder, but the Falcons can address the secondary on Day 2. I like the Texas quarterback fit. Malik Muhammad second round pick and defensive lineman at Texas Tech Lee Hunter in the 3rd round.
