In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the Falcons faithful, the Atlanta Falcons announced the dismissal of Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday evening, capping off a tumultuous 2025 season that fell far short of expectations.
The announcement came via a press release from team owner Arthur Blank, who cited the need for a “fresh direction” after the Falcons finished the year with a disappointing 8-9 record, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
Falcons Part Ways With Raheem Morris, Terry Fontenot
“I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. “The decision to move away from people who represent the organization so well and have a shared commitment to the values that are important to the organization is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership. I wish Raheem and Terry the absolute best in their future pursuits.”
Morris, 49, was hired as the Falcons’ head coach in 2024 following a successful stint as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, where he helped lead them to a Super Bowl victory in 2021.
His tenure in Atlanta began with promise, as the team showed flashes of defensive improvement and offensive creativity in his first year.
However, injuries to key players like quarterback Michael Penix Jr., less-than-stellar play from Kirk Cousins and misused running back Bijan Robinson, combined with inconsistent play-calling, derailed the 2025 campaign. The Falcons ranked 28th in total defense and struggled with late-game collapses, including a mid season stint where they loss seven of eight games.
Fontenot, who joined the Falcons as GM in 2021 after a long career in the New Orleans Saints’ front office, oversaw a roster rebuild that included high-profile draft picks like edge rusher Dallas Turner and wide receiver Rome Odunze.
While his talent evaluation was praised early on—particularly for selecting Robinson in the 2023 draft—the past two seasons exposed flaws in free agency decisions and salary cap management. Critics pointed to overpaid contracts for aging veterans and a lack of depth on the offensive line as key factors in the team’s underperformance.
The firings come on the eve of what is traditionally known as “Black Monday” in the NFL, the day after the regular season when underperforming teams make sweeping changes.
Atlanta’s decision was unexpected by some, given Morris’s defensive background and Fontenot’s track record in player scouting, but fan frustration had been building throughout the year. Social media erupted with calls for change after a string of blowout losses in November and December.
Former Falcons greats weighed in on the news. Hall of Fame quarterback Matt Ryan, now a broadcaster, expressed surprise but understanding: “Raheem brought energy and a player’s coach mentality, but results matter in this league. Terry built a young core, but the wins didn’t come. Atlanta deserves better.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Blank indicated that the search for new leadership would begin immediately, with an emphasis on candidates who can maximize the team’s young talent and navigate the upcoming draft, where the Falcons hold the No. 8 overall pick.
Potential head coaching candidates rumored to be on the radar include Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, known for his innovative schemes, and former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who has expressed interest in returning to the NFL.
For the GM role, names like Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz have surfaced in early speculation.
This marks the third head coaching change for the Falcons since their Super Bowl LI appearance in 2017, highlighting the ongoing instability in the front office. Fans, who have endured years of mediocrity, are hopeful that Blank’s latest reset will finally turn the tide.
The Atlanta Sports Gazette will provide updates as the coaching and GM searches unfold. For now, the Dirty Birds are once again at a crossroads, searching for the leaders to soar back into contention.