The Atlanta Falcons have already undergone some major changes in the 2024 NFL offseason. A new head coach will lead them, as Arthur Smith was relieved of his duties after three seasons at the helm. That head coach will be former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris.
The most important task for Morris and his new staff is figuring out the quarterback position. It was something Smith was not able to figure out during his tenure, which played a big part in his firing this offseason.
There is a lot to like when it comes to the Falcons roster that is in place. They already have a solid foundation on offense with excellent skill position players and a good offensive line; they just need a quarterback to bring it all together.
NFL News & Rumors: Raheem Morris, Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons Updates
Defensively, this group made strides in 2023. They were active in free agency, with their biggest splash being safety Jessie Bates III from the Cincinnati Bengals. With Morris taking over as head coach, it is fair to believe this group will improve even more defensively given his background on that side of the ball.
There is a lot to like about the direction the Falcons are heading in. That is a big reason why ESPN NFL expert Seth Walder, a sports analytics writer, selected Atlanta as his biggest breakout for the 2024 season.
“The roster already has talent and potential, and now the Falcons have brought in coach Raheem Morris and a new offensive system with coordinator Zac Robinson. Capable quarterback play would go a long way, and while the need at quarterback is substantial, there are a few different ways the Falcons can address it (the draft? Kirk Cousins? Justin Fields?). All of those options are likely to be an upgrade over the Desmond Ridder-Taylor Heinicke combination they rolled out last season,” wrote Walder.
Zac Robinson is coming over from the Rams, where he was the quarterbacks coach, along with Morris. That is a solid infusion on the offensive staff given how great Rams head coach Sean McVay is and some of the other coaches from his tree that are around the NFL.
NFL News & Rumors: Raheem Morris, Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons Updates
Another thing working in the Falcons’ favor is that the NFC South is relatively wide open. Despite going 7-10, they were right in the mix for a division title until a Week 15 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
A few breaks go their way throughout the regular season and it could have been Atlanta, not the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking home the divisional crown. If the Falcons can land any of the veterans mentioned by Walder to become their quarterback or find an upgrade via another avenue, their projections for 2024 and beyond will improve.
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