Atlanta GA, January 5, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons organization announced the firing of Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot following a disappointing season. Despite a late-season surge, the team faced its eighth consecutive losing season and a prolonged playoff drought. Owner Arthur Blank emphasized the need for new leadership as the Falcons prepare for a search for both positions to usher in a new era for the franchise.
Atlanta – The Atlanta Falcons organization announced a significant leadership change on Sunday night, January 4, 2026, dismissing both Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot. This decision came just hours after the team concluded its 2025 season with a 19-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints, marking a second consecutive 8-9 finish under Morris and an eighth straight losing season for the franchise. The firings signal the immediate launch of a search for new leadership to guide the team into what owner Arthur Blank described as a “new era”.
A Season’s End and Organizational Shift
The announcement underscores a deep-seated frustration within the organization and among its supporters regarding the team’s consistent inability to achieve postseason success. Despite a late-season surge that saw the Falcons win their final four games, their playoff hopes had already been extinguished. The team finished in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South, but due to tiebreakers, the division title went to another team, extending Atlanta’s playoff drought to eight seasons, which is the second-longest active streak in the NFL.
Arthur Blank expressed a personal appreciation for Morris and Fontenot’s dedication, yet emphasized the necessity for new leadership to meet organizational and fan expectations for on-field results. The decision was communicated to both individuals in a meeting with Blank on Sunday evening.
Tenure and Performance
Raheem Morris completed his tenure as head coach with an overall record of 16-18 across two seasons (2024-2025), failing to secure a playoff appearance. This was Morris’s second stint with the Falcons, having previously served as interim head coach for 11 games in the 2020 season, where the team posted a 4-7 record. He was hired as head coach in January 2024.
Terry Fontenot, who served as general manager for five seasons since joining the Falcons in 2021, oversaw a team that accumulated a 37-48 record during his tenure, also without any playoff berths. Fontenot, the first Black general manager in Falcons history, focused on roster reconstruction, notably selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a decision made a month after signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a significant contract. Despite solid production from some of his 2025 draft class, including rookies who led in sacks and interceptions, overall team performance did not meet expectations.
The Path Forward: Search for New Leadership
The search for both a new head coach and general manager will commence immediately and will run concurrently. The Falcons have engaged consulting firms to assist with these crucial hires. ZRG Partners will aid in the head coach search, while Sportsology Group, which had previously conducted a “health check” of the team’s football operations, will assist in identifying a new general manager. There is no set timeline for the completion of either search.
Speculation has already begun regarding potential candidates for the coaching vacancy. Names emerging in discussions include current NFL offensive and defensive coordinators such as Klint Kubiak (Seahawks offensive coordinator), Chris Shula (Rams defensive coordinator), Jesse Minter (Chargers defensive coordinator), Anthony Weaver (Dolphins defensive coordinator), Lou Anarumo (Colts defensive coordinator), Todd Monken (Ravens offensive coordinator), Jeff Hafley (Packers defensive coordinator), Mike LaFleur (Rams offensive coordinator), and Grant Udinski (Jaguars offensive coordinator). Some observers suggest the organization may seek a coach with previous head coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball, particularly one adept at quarterback development.
Challenges for the incoming leadership include the uncertainty surrounding the starting quarterback position, with Michael Penix Jr. facing recovery from a torn ACL and questions about his long-term consistency. Additionally, the Falcons will not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and face salary cap considerations. However, the current roster does possess a young core of talent, including running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and edge rushers James Peace Jr. and Jalon Walker, offering a foundation for the new regime.
The organization is embarking on its fourth head coaching search in seven years, highlighting a pattern of leadership instability in recent times. This comprehensive change reflects a renewed commitment to achieving the consistent winning performance that has eluded the franchise for nearly a decade.
FAQ
- What happened with the Atlanta Falcons leadership?
- The Atlanta Falcons dismissed both Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night, January 4, 2026.
- When were Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot fired?
- They were fired on Sunday night, January 4, 2026, hours after the team concluded its 2025 season.
- What was Raheem Morris’s record as head coach of the Falcons?
- Raheem Morris finished with an overall record of 16-18 across two seasons (2024-2025) as head coach of the Falcons, with no playoff appearances.
- What was Terry Fontenot’s record as general manager of the Falcons?
- Terry Fontenot’s tenure as general manager, which began in 2021, resulted in a 37-48 record, also without any playoff appearances.
- Why were they fired?
- The firings were due to the team’s consistent inability to achieve postseason success and not meeting organizational and fan expectations for on-field results, including two consecutive 8-9 finishes and an eight-year playoff drought.
- Who is leading the search for new personnel?
- The Falcons have engaged consulting firms to assist with the searches: ZRG Partners for the head coach and Sportsology Group for the general manager.
- What are some challenges for the new leadership?
- Challenges include uncertainty at the starting quarterback position, Michael Penix Jr.’s recovery from a torn ACL and questions about his consistency, no first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and salary cap considerations.
Key Features of the Falcons’ Leadership Change
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Personnel Dismissed | Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot |
| Date of Dismissal | Sunday night, January 4, 2026 |
| Morris’s Coaching Record (2024-2025) | 16-18 (two consecutive 8-9 seasons) |
| Fontenot’s GM Record (2021-2025) | 37-48 |
| Playoff Appearances | Zero under both Morris and Fontenot |
| Team Performance Context | Eight consecutive losing seasons; missed playoffs for eight straight years |
| New Search Efforts | Immediate and concurrent searches for new Head Coach and General Manager |
| Consulting Firms Involved | ZRG Partners (Head Coach search) and Sportsology Group (General Manager search) |
| Key Roster Assets | QB Michael Penix Jr., RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, Edge Rushers James Peace Jr. and Jalon Walker |
| Future Challenges | Quarterback consistency, Michael Penix Jr.’s injury recovery, no 2026 first-round draft pick, salary cap considerations |
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