The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, not very long after their 19-17 win against their division rival, the New Orleans Saints. Despite closing out the season with a four-game win streak, they decided to move on from this regime.
Too many close games that ended in a loss and inefficiencies contributed to the changes. Now the Falcons are on the search for a new head coach. Here are five coaching candidates who could succeed Raheem Morris.
Kliff Kingsbury
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is known for his offensive genius and getting the most out of his quarterbacks. He aided in developing quarterback Jayden Daniels and led one of the best offenses in football in 2024.
If the Falcons were to hire him, Kingsbury could improve the offensive play-calling and decision-making, which led to losses for the Falcons this season. He has a good track record with quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Jayden Daniels, and he could help with Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins.
Mike LaFleur
Mike LaFleur is currently the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator and apart one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL with Sean McVay. LaFleur is only 38 years old and can provide a spark for the Falcons’ offense. There’s some familiarity in Atlanta, as he was an assistant when they went to the Super Bowl in 2017. That familiarity and knowledge would benefit the Falcons in 2026.
Kevin Stefanski
Kevin Stefanski was fired from the Cleveland Browns after going 5-12 this season. Stefanski was a former 2x NFL Coach of the Year, but the Browns moved on. Stefanski is another name in the coaching cycle that’s been brought up, and the Falcons could potentially hire him.
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Stefanski is an offensive-minded coach who can call plays and scheme well enough to get the ball to the playmakers. He can assist with Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but he is coming off an injury, so Cousins may still be the starter going forward.
Joe Brady
Joe Brady is the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills and is widely known as one of the best in football, given the way that the Bills have succeeded with quarterback Josh Allen. Brady is famously known for his time as an offensive coordinator at LSU when Joe Burrow and company won a National Championship with arguably the best offense in NCAA Football history. Brady could utilize all of the weapons that the Falcons have on offense and turn them into something greater.
Klint Kubiak
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has helped with the career resurgence of quarterback Sam Darnold, who has the team in the playoffs now. The Seahawks have one of the best offenses in football and teams overall. Kubiak had been on staff with some of the best, like Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers, back in 2023. The tools that he learned from Shanahan can be very valuable for the Falcons.
The Falcons also know Kubiak very well, given that the Seahawks eliminated them from playoff contention back in Week 14, defeating them 37-9. Having someone on staff who knows your team as an opponent can potentially work in the Falcons’ favor if they hire Kubiak.
