The Atlanta Falcons are currently being labeled as the most disappointing team in the National Football League. While other teams may have worse records, the Falcons” situation is particularly alarming. Last week, their rivals, the New Orleans Saints, showcased their struggles, and the Tennessee Titans are in disarray. However, the Falcons have consistently aimed for playoff contention since Raheem Morris took over as head coach, maintaining high expectations following last year”s eight-win season. They even sacrificed a first-round pick in 2026 to trade back into this year”s draft, convinced they were on the verge of competing in a division that remains wide open.
Initially, the Falcons appeared to be on track, achieving a 3-2 record after a challenging early-season schedule that included a notable victory against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Fast forward, and they now find themselves at 4-8, suffering humiliating defeats against the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and the Carolina Panthers on two occasions. These results are nearly incomprehensible and prompt a pressing question: is there any scenario in which Raheem Morris retains his position?
Arthur Blank, the team”s owner, is not known for making hasty decisions. He tends to hold onto coaches longer than expected, especially if he has a personal affinity for them. Raheem Morris is widely regarded as an amiable figure; however, his track record as a head coach is far from impressive, reflected in his combined record of 33-55 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Falcons.
Blank could likely tolerate another eight- or nine-win season that narrowly missed the playoffs, attributing it to the growing pains of a young quarterback. What he cannot accept is the embarrassment and irrelevance that have come to define the Falcons” current state. Under Morris and Terry Fontenot, the general manager, the team has failed to adapt to league trends. The decision to give Kirk Cousins a significant contract followed by drafting Michael Penix Jr. shortly thereafter was an unprecedented move that has backfired, leaving the Falcons without a clear answer at quarterback and with one of the league”s worst records.
The series of missteps has turned the Falcons into a laughingstock across the league. Their performances on Sundays have been hard to watch, and their direction remains unclear. While it is evident that not all the blame falls on Morris, many observers believe that a complete overhaul is the only logical path forward as the season comes to a close.
