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Raheem Morris took over for the fired Dan Quinn earlier in the 2020 season and put the team on a slightly different path. Morris, previously splitting the defensive coordinator play-calling duties with Jeff Ulbrich, left the defense to be the team’s head coach.
The Falcons have seen a real improvement. However, it hasn’t been enough. The offense has gone from a strength to a weakness with the Falcons dropping multiple winnable games. Morris may be a better head coach than Quinn but the team is still underperforming.
However, that improvement is enough for Morris to secure an interview with the Falcons for the head coach position. Per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, quoting team president Rich McKay.
“He is really a good football coach,” McKay said. “He inherited a situation. We were 0-5. When you’re an interim coach with 11 weeks to go, that’s more than challenging. He’s earn that right to be interviewed, and he will.”
McKay is likely correct but the odds that Morris ultimately lands the job appear small. The Falcons already went for continuity last offseason by sticking with Quinn. Morris is an improvement but the Falcons cannot sell more of the same to fans again and expect to fill up those expensive stadium seats.
Morris has definitely earned the interview. He took the same roster that started 0-5, improved the defense, and found some wins along the way. Fans though will be looking to see the Falcons hire one of the top candidates like Eric Bieniemy or Arthur Smith who can get this offense back on track.