The Atlanta Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake final weekend, canning the first-time NFL coordinator after the group’s defensive collapse performed a significant function of their missed alternative to make the playoffs and embarrassing loss to the Panthers to make sure one other dropping file.
Raheem Morris was anticipated to search for a extra skilled candidate and go together with one he was aware of, which immediately made interim Jets head coach (and former Falcons interim defensive coordinator) Jeff Ulbrich and longtime NFL defensive coordinator and summer time apply customer Steve Wilks apparent favorites. As anticipated, the group has interviewed each candidates, however they’ve forged a wider web that features coaches Morris hasn’t labored straight with (Wink Martindale, Lou Anarumo) and fewer skilled choices that we didn’t anticipate (Derrick Ansley, Grady Brown).
Whereas we wait to see when this search wraps up and who else the group would possibly interview, right here’s a tracker that will help you keep in control on what’s taking place. Their earlier and present (if relevant) NFL expertise is in parentheses.
Interviewed candidates
- Steve Wilks (Former Cardinals head coach, Panthers interim head coach, Panthers, 49ers & Browns defensive coordinator)
- Jeff Ulbrich (Jets interim head coach, former Jets defensive coordinator, former Falcons linebackers coach and interim defensive coordinator, former assistant particular groups coordinator for Seahawks)
- Lou Anarumo (Former Bengals defensive coordinator, former Dolphins interim defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, former Giants defensive backs coach)
- Derrick Ansley (Packers passing recreation coordinator, former Chargers defensive coordinator, former Raiders and Chargers defensive backs coach)
- Wink Martindale (Michigan defensive coordinator, former Giants, Ravens, and Broncos defensive coordinator, former Ravens, Broncos, and Raiders linebackers coach)
- Grady Brown (Steelers secondary coach)
What makes the job interesting?
When Raheem Morris was employed, we heard quite a bit from the likes of Dan Quinn, Sean McVay, and his gamers that he was a pleasure to work with, so Morris himself is probably going a part of the enchantment. Having a legendary chief in Grady Jarrett on the roster (we hope) and a handful of great gamers like Jessie Bates, A.J. Terrell, and Kaden Elliss and a number of other fascinating younger items like Ruke Orhorhoro, Troy Andersen, and Arnold Ebiketie figures to be interesting.
In any other case, in the event you’re on the lookout for a spot to implement a imaginative and prescient and doubtlessly assist select the groceries, Atlanta’s the spot for you.
What are the challenges?
On the entire, this isn’t an excellent protection. The group nonetheless lacks any elite go rushers—Elliss is fairly rattling nice contemplating his place and function, however isn’t fairly at that degree—and has perhaps two gamers you’d take into account to be in that tier total in Terrell and Bates. Everybody else is getting older, a query mark, or simply plain younger.
The Falcons presently lack cap house for a rebuild on this aspect of the ball, have only a handful of draft picks to work with, and can possible want to chop or commerce some helpful older gamers to unencumber that house. You’re virtually definitely going to want to do extra with much less expertise in 2025 in the event you’re employed as Atlanta’s defensive coordinator.
Oh, and Morris naturally has his personal concepts of how the protection ought to run, although we don’t understand how dedicated to these he’ll be with a brand new coordinator.
