Arthur Blank spoke to the media for the first time since the Falcons hired Raheem Morris, and he answered a slew of questions about expectations, intentions at the quarterback position, the club’s pursuit of Bill Belichick, and most interesting to me, Rich McKay’s role within the organization.
When Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot were hired in 2021, Falcons fans were led to believe that McKay wasn’t involved in day-to-day operations. However, at the press conference following Smith’s termination, we learned that not only was he involved but that he was heavily involved, speaking to the head coach and general manager more than two dozen times a week.
What makes all of this so frustrating is how instrumental Arthur Blank made McKay look during Smith’s press conference and throughout the head coaching search, but stripped him of that role in the announcement of Morris’ hire.
In the press release, it was reported that Morris and Fontenot will report directly to Blank while McKay takes an expanded role across AMBSE and away from football operations within the Falcons organization.
It was just another puzzling move from a franchise that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense most of the time. It gets more strange, though.
During the media session on Friday, Blank said that a reason for McKay’s move is the experience of Morris and Fontenot within football ops, which is true and makes sense. However, that’s not where Blank stopped. The Falcons owner went on to say that most organizations have the head coach and GM report to the owner, which is also true.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said part of the reason for Rich McKay's move is the experience Raheem Morris & Terry Fontenot have within the football operations.
Said most organizations have the HC & GM report to the owner.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) February 9, 2024
But let me jog your memory. During the press conference following Arthur Smith’s firing, Rich McKay stated that the Falcons operate differently, explaining himself as a highly paid liaison between the head coach, GM and owner, adding that most clubs are going to the Falcons method.
So was this just a blatant lie? https://t.co/cucwD03td2 pic.twitter.com/eiRq6cojzR
— SportsTalkATL Alex (@GeauxSportsTalk) February 9, 2024
So, let me get this straight.
Rich McKay was critical to the operation of the Smith-Fontenot regime. It was actually an innovative structure to have a CEO report to the owner (says McKay), but it’s no longer necessary because the Morris-Fontenot regime has experience?
The Falcons make my head spin.
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Photographer: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire
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