The Atlanta Falcons wrapped up yet another disappointing season on Sunday afternoon with an overtime loss to the Panthers, who came into the game 4-11 on the season and just 1-15 in their last 16 road matchups. It was the kind of loss in a must-win Week 18 game that almost seemed unfathomable to begin the day, especially when the offense accounted for 38 points and nearly 550 yards of offense. But as everybody should have learned by this point, the only consistent theme surrounding the Falcons is underachievement.
Atlanta’s 2024 campaign can only be viewed as a disaster. The Falcons pumped their chests out all offseason like they were the favorites to win the NFC South, investing heavily into their roster on both sides of the ball, most notably with their $180 million signing of Kirk Cousins.
Unfortunately, Cousins’ Achilles injury from the season prior proved too big of a hurdle to overcome for the 13-year veteran. He was not the same guy he’s been in the past, and after just 14 starts, he was benched in favor of the rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Now, the Falcons look ahead to the 2025 season, one in which they will again have a ton of dead cap on the books, with questions in both the front office and across the coaching staff. Heads should roll for what’s transpired this season, but the Falcons aren’t necessarily known for their strict accountability.
Raheem Morris
Raheem Morris was a questionable hire to begin with. He had been a head coach once before with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it went very poorly. However, the hire received rave reviews across the league from players, coaches and executives. Morris is unquestionably a likable guy who’s easy to root for; he’s also proven to be a fantastic assistant coach in a number of areas.
However, there’s a stark difference between coaching defense or wide receivers and being a head coach. Every detail matters, and Raheem Morris has shown nothing to prove he’s capable of being the guy in charge. In fact, he’s done the opposite. Several losses this season lie squarely at the feet of Raheem Morris, whether it be because of questionable decision making, abysmal clock management, or overall lack of preparation.
Absolutely nothing over Morris’ head coaching career — whether it be from his time in Tampa Bay or in Atlanta — suggests he’s a good head coach. In fact, there’s a ton to suggest he isn’t. However, the Falcons moving on from him after just one season is highly unlikely.
Terry Fontenot
Terry Fontenot shockingly kept his job after last season when the Falcons decided to move on from Arthur Smith. Why that was the case continues to be a head scratcher. Since Fontenot’s taken over as GM, the Falcons have been one of the worst teams at drafting and developing talent. There are more key pillars left from the Thomas Dimitroff era on the roster right now, a damning indictment on Fontenot’s ability in the draft, which is the most important aspect of being a GM.
The Falcons have yet to have a winning season with Fontenot as the GM, and things have gotten even worse this year with the signing of Kirk Cousins. It was a $100 million mistake, and I don’t know of too many jobs where employees get to keep their jobs after wasting $100 million.
However, the general manager position of the Atlanta Falcons might be one of them. Arthur Blank seemingly can’t hold anyone accountable, and while there’s zero reason Terry Fontenot should be the GM after this season, there are no signs that he will be fired.
Jimmy Lake
While the head coach and GM might unfortunately be safe, the one man who seems highly unlikely to keep his job is Jimmy Lake. Raheem Morris was touted for his ability to build an elite coaching staff when he was hired, but he turned to his inexperienced friend in Jimmy Lake to be the defensive coordinator.
It didn’t take long to realize Lake was in way over his head. The Falcons’ defense took a massive step back in 2024, and it wasn’t until Raheem Morris became more involved on that side of the ball that it began to turn around. Somebody’s head has to roll for this disappointing season, and while it should be several people, Jimmy Lake seems to be the most likely scapegoat.
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Photographer: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire
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