The Falcons have a pivotal offseason ahead of them, which is something I feel like I’ve said every single February since Dan Quinn was fired, but this one really could be a launching point to sustained success.
The Raheem Morris hire has been met with praise by fans, players, and coaches. Even the portion of fans that weren’t keen on Morris originally, quickly came around following his introductory press conference.
However, wins and losses matter a lot more than enthusiasm and charisma. Falcons fans will immediately turn on the new head coach if the results don’t come. Morris won’t have the grace period of his predecessor; expectations are for the Falcons to win the NFC South in 2024, and he acknowledged as much.
To accomplish that, the club has some holes to fill on the roster. What many people consider to be the most important positions in the game are needs for the Falcons in the offseason — wide receiver, edge, and cornerback. Yet, none are as pressing or potentially impactful as the quarterback position.
It’s the single most valuable position in all of sports. It can cover up a team’s deficiencies or expose them. Arthur Smith lost his job because of the poor quarterback play in 2023. Raheem Morris will suffer the same fate if the Falcons don’t address the position with something more than a half-measure.
Unsurprisingly, the team knows this. In an interview with Steve Wyche and James Palmer, Terry Fontenot was asked about the plan, which Wyche described as an aggressive one, to get a quarterback through free agency, a trade, or the draft.
“Yeah, we won’t close any doors, Steve. You’re right, that’s the top priority for us this offseason,” Atlanta’s general manager stated. “We’re not going to close any doors, be it trades, free agency, the draft. We’ll make sure we keep an open mind there, and we are going to attack it and get it right.”
The Falcons would be fools to close any doors. All options should be on the table. Fontenot and Morris have to put forth a real investment in the position, both long and short term.
—
Photographer: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.