The Atlanta Falcons have found their new head coach, and it isn't Bill Belichick.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported Thursday that the Falcons have hired Raheem Morris for their head coaching position. They landed on Morris after interviewing 14 candidates including Belichick, Mike Vrabel, and Jim Harbaugh. Vrabel remains on the market with Belichick while Harbaugh was hired as the next head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Morris has extensive NFL coaching experience dating back to 2002, when he started his career on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff. He rose through the ranks and eventually became the Bucs' head coach from 2009-11.
Get top local stories in Connecticut delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Connecticut's News Headlines newsletter.
He has history with the Falcons, serving as their assistant head coach and wide receivers coach from 2015-19, then their defensive coordinator/interim head coach during the 2020 campaign. Since 2021, Morris has been on Sean McVay's staff as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator.
With the Falcons job no longer available, Belichick's current options are limited to the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Belichick has only interviewed with Atlanta to this point. It's possible the former New England Patriots head coach sits out the 2024 season and awaits another head-coaching opportunity in 2025.
NFL
Two additional head-coaching vacancies could open up for Belichick within the next month. The Buffalo Bills would be an intriguing option if they decide to move on from Sean McDermott, and the Kansas City Chiefs would be an obvious fit if Andy Reid retires after the postseason.
