Falcons select defensive coach Raheem Morris as new HC

The Falcons are hiring Raheem Morris to succeed Arthur Smith as HC, according to multiple reports. This will actually be Morris' second stint as Atlanta head man. He took over the interim role in 2020 after the Falcons fired Dan Quinn. Morris' Falcons went just 4-7 the rest of that season. Morris opened that year as Falcons DC after spending the previous five as assistant HC under Quinn. He also served as HC of the Buccaneers 2009-11 and DC for the Rams the past three seasons, among other coaching stops. Although Morris has spent most of his coaching seasons on defense, he did spend four of those previous Atlanta years as WRs coach -- and three of those as passing-game coordinator as well. Those 2016-19 Falcons leaned pass, especially over the final two years of that span. Ultimately, Morris' offensive staff seems likely to influence the fantasy outlooks of Falcons offensive players more than Morris will. And the biggest fantasy question in Atlanta remains: Who will be the 2024 QB? Arthur Smith's departure should be good for the work shares of players such as Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. We'll see about the moves yet to come, though.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Falcons have parted ways with HC Arthur Smith. Despite the Falcons spending three consecutive top-10 NFL draft picks on offensive skill position players (TE Kyle Pitts, WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson), Smith's teams posted 7-10 records annually since 2021 and never finished within the top half of the NFL in total offensive yards. It's tough to be overly excited about this change without knowing who will take over in Atlanta long-term. Still, dynasty managers everywhere may rejoice and breathe a sigh of relief. Smith's dismissal is an addition by subtraction.