The Falcons head coaching search is making headlines, but it doesn’t matter who Arthur Blank brings to Atlanta until the organization finds a long-term solution at quarterback.
The first domino will be the head coach; however, I’d argue that the bigger, or at least more important, domino is the quarterback. And whoever is brought to Atlanta will dictate which signal caller the Falcons pursue.
Below are the Falcons’ head coach candidates, some have been requested while others have already completed their first interviews.
- Bill Belichick, New England Patriots head coach
- Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator
- Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator
- Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
- Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator
- Raheem Morris, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator
- Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
- Brian Callahan, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator
- Steve Wilks, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator
- Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach
- Anthony Weaver, Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line
Each candidate presents different strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, each will present a different approach to get the Falcons back in the postseason and eventually their first Super Bowl trophy.
As Matt Ryan recently pointed out, someone like Bill Belichick would likely set the club on a path toward a veteran quarterback. Another half-measure at the position doesn’t seem like the correct decision.
Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield and Ryan Tannehill are the only semi-inspiring options on the free agent market; none of which will get the Falcons over the hump. There’s the possibility of a trade for someone like Jimmy Garoppolo, who is familiar with Belichick and might be expendable when the new regime is brought in for the Raiders.
Ryan added that if the Falcons go with a younger head coach — Johnson, Slowik, Macdonald, etc. — then there’s a better chance the club targets a younger quarterback. Caleb Wiliams and Drake Maye seem like pipe dreams, but Jayden Daniels and Justin Fields are certainly attractive targets.
The Falcons could go in any number of directions with their head coaching hire, but Arthur Blank must understand that each candidate means a different approach to fixing the quarterback position.
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Photographer: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
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