The Atlanta Falcons are under new leadership in 2024. Gone is head coach Arthur Smith, who was relieved of his duties at the end of the 2023 season. Taking over as head coach will be Raheem Morris, who was defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams.
Changing from an offensive-minded head coach to a defensive-minded one will lead to some philosophical changes on the field. It will be interesting to see how different the Falcons look as they have a few areas of improvement on the team.
The team made strides on the defensive end, committing plenty of assets to turn things around. They were aggressive in free agency, adding veterans such as safety Jessie Bates III and linebackers Kaden Elliss and Bud Dupree.
The Falcons did improve defensively from where they had been the last two seasons, but there is still room for more growth. Atlanta is certainly hopeful Morris can help coax that development out of this roster.
NFL News & Rumors: Calais Campbell, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Atlanta Falcons Updates
One of the players who could help in doing so is veteran defensive end Calais Campbell. In the opinion of Michael Rothstein of ESPN, Campbell’s impending free agency is the most important re-signing decision the franchise will have this offseason.
“This would have been a simpler decision had Arthur Smith had been retained as Falcons coach — and it probably would have been Campbell’s choice whether to return after a 56-tackle, 6.5-sack season. There are multiple layers to this: Does Campbell, who will be 38 next season, want to keep playing? If that answer is yes, does he believe in the vision and path to quick success of Raheem Morris’ coaching staff? And does Morris’ staff want to invest in Campbell, who had a $7.5 million cap hit in 2023? Those are the questions that will determine Campbell’s future in Atlanta,” Rothstein wrote.
A veteran of that caliber is always helpful to have around. He can be leaned on for leadership and guidance in the locker room as he has seen virtually everything the NFL has to offer.
Not only is his presence important, he still remains a productive player. The 6.5 sacks he registered last season were the most he has had since 2019 when he also had 6.5 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
NFL News & Rumors: Calais Campbell, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Atlanta Falcons Updates
Campbell appeared in all 17 games for the Falcons last season, playing 63 percent of the snaps. He certainly still has something left in the tank to offer as his 6.5 sacks tied with Dupree for the team lead.
But, does Campbell want to return to the Falcons if he opts to continue his playing career? There is certainly some optimism that things will turn around in Atlanta, but would he prefer playing out the stretch of his career on a contender, chasing that elusive Super Bowl ring?
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