Atlanta Falcons Dismiss Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot
Atlanta, Monday, 5 January 2026.
Despite player support and a season-ending win streak, the Falcons fired Head Coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot Sunday, seeking new leadership after consecutive 8-9 seasons.
Organizational Reset Following Sunday Night Meeting
The decision to clean house was officially announced on the evening of Sunday, January 4, following a pivotal meeting between the team’s leadership and owner Arthur Blank [3][4]. This move comes despite a late-season surge where the Falcons won their final four games, including a 19-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints earlier that same day [2][4]. The organization has immediately initiated a comprehensive search for replacements, retaining ZRG Partners to assist with the head coach vacancy and Sportsology Group to guide the search for a new general manager [3]. This marks a definitive end to a regime that, despite recent momentum, could not break the franchise’s playoff drought.
By the Numbers: A Tenure Defined by Mediocrity
Raheem Morris departs Atlanta with a cumulative 16-18 record over two full seasons, having posted back-to-back 8-9 campaigns without securing a postseason berth [3][4]. General Manager Terry Fontenot, who took the helm in 2021, was also dismissed after five seasons that resulted in a total record of 37-48 and zero playoff appearances [3][4]. In a formal statement, Blank expressed ‘great personal affinity’ for both men but emphasized that ‘the results on the field have not met our expectations’ [3]. The Falcons have now missed the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, a streak of stagnation that ultimately outweighed the personal relationships within the building [1][5].
Divergence Between Locker Room and Boardroom
The dismissals highlight a significant disconnect between the team’s performance metrics and the internal culture established by Morris. In the days leading up to the decision, key players vehemently supported Morris’s return. Safety Jessie Bates III stated the team ‘went to bat’ for Morris, while running back Bijan Robinson referred to him as a ‘father figure,’ insisting that the coach had not lost the locker room despite mid-season struggles [1]. This sentiment was echoed by running back Tyler Allgeier, who pointed to the team’s 4-0 finish as proof of their commitment to the staff [1]. However, the ownership viewed these cultural wins as insufficient against the backdrop of an 8-9 finish in a winnable NFC South division [1][2].
Strategic Audits and Financial Realities
This leadership overhaul follows an operational audit conducted by Sportsology Group during the fall and winter, which was aimed at diagnosing the franchise’s prolonged struggles [5]. The incoming regime will inherit a roster constructed with significant capital, including the massive four-year, $180 million contract given to quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2024, which included $100 million in guarantees [4]. While the defense showed promise in 2025 by finishing second in the league with 57 sacks, the organization ultimately determined that a complete reset was necessary [4]. Rumors also persist regarding the potential return of former quarterback Matt Ryan in a front-office capacity, suggesting the franchise may look to its past to help stabilize its future direction [5].