Mike McCarthy
While this is probably the least likely of the options to replace Steve Sarkisian, the former Packers head coach is an interesting fit. Winning, at least ten games eight different times in Green Bay, McCarthy would bring a solid veteran presence to the Falcons offensive coordinator spot. Things took a turn for the worse these last few months for him, but that doesn’t mean he can’t resurrect his career with the Dirty Birds and all of their weapons.
That said, it’s more likely that McCarthy will end up as a head coach in 2019 or 2020. It’s hard to ignore the fit between him and the Cleveland Browns that could possibly occur this off-season.
Gary Kubiak
Call me crazy, but this would be a fantastic hire for the Falcons in 2019. The 57-year-old has stepped away from the game, but a combination of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Calvin Ridley could bring this Super Bowl-winning coach back to the league. With over 20 years of head coach/offensive coordinator experience, Atlanta would benefit greatly from someone who has some legitimate NFL experience calling plays. Reports suggest that Kubiak has interest in returning to the sidelines as an offensive coordinator.
Kubiak’s first major opportunity in the NFL came with the Denver Broncos under head coach Mike Shanahan, where he was the QB coach and offensive coordinator for 11 seasons. Over that time, the Broncos won two Super Bowls – one of them against our very own Atlanta Falcons. Kubiak last was the head coach for the Denver Broncos from 2015-2016, winning another Super Bowl in 2015.
Kubiak’s familiarity with the zone blocking scheme that was so successful in Atlanta and his experience with high-quality quarterbacks like John Elway and Peyton Manning would make him a perfect fit to take over the Falcons OC position should he decide to return to football.
Matt LaFleur
Could Dan Quinn lure Matt LaFleur back to Atlanta after his short, two-year absence? LaFleur coached the Falcons quarterbacks in 2015 and 2016, and a lot of us thought he was the best choice to replace his mentor, Kyle Shanahan. Needless to say, the Dirty Birds went with Sarkisian and have struggled ever since.
LaFleur was later hired by the Rams in 2017 under head coach Sean McVay. After helping develop Jared Goff into one of the promising young quarterbacks in the NFL, he left for Titans to take the same position. However, this time, he would be allowed to call the plays, unlike his tenure with McVay. Time will tell whether or not LaFleur is bound to stay in Tennessee with Marcus Mariota, but I wouldn’t say he’s out of the running for the Falcons OC job just yet.