In a decisive move following the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, Atlanta Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank dismissed both Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot tonight.
The decision was delivered during a meeting in Atlanta just hours after the Falcons wrapped up their season with a home victory against the New Orleans Saints.
The sweep follows a second consecutive 8-9 finish under Morris. While the team showed signs of life with a late four-game winning streak, it wasn’t enough to save the jobs of the men tasked with returning the franchise to its former glory.
The Falcons have now failed to produce a winning record or a postseason appearance since 2017.
Failed gambles and “Mired in mediocrity”
The dismissal of Terry Fontenot marks the end of a tenure defined by aggressive but ultimately unsuccessful swings at the quarterback position.
Fontenot’s legacy will be tied to the high-profile signing of veteran Kirk Cousins and the subsequent drafting of Michael Penix Jr.-two major investments that failed to yield the playoff results the organization demanded.
Morris, meanwhile, leaves Atlanta with a career head-coaching record of 36-56. Despite his reputation as a leader of men, he was unable to push the Falcons beyond the “mediocrity” that has plagued the team for nearly a decade.
Analysts suggest that after this second stint in Atlanta, it is unlikely Morris will see another opportunity as an NFL head coach in the near future.
In an official statement released on the team’s website, Arthur Blank expressed his personal respect for both men while emphasizing that the on-field product simply wasn’t good enough.
A call for new leadership
“I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,” Blank said. “The decision… is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans.”
The Falcons are moving quickly to fill the vacancies. The organization has already enlisted ZRG Partners to assist in the search for a new head coach, while Sportsology Group will advise on the general manager search. Both processes will occur concurrently.
The incoming duo will inherit a roster featuring elite offensive weapons like Bijan Robinson and Drake London, but they will also face the same “massive question mark” at quarterback that ultimately cost their predecessors their jobs.
Read the full article here
