Falcons fire coach Raheem Morris, GM Terry Fontenot hours after finishing 8-9 season

Falcons Clean House: Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot Fired Hours After Season-Ending Win

ATLANTA — In a swift and decisive move, the Atlanta Falcons dismissed head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night, just hours after the team concluded its 2025 season with a narrow 19-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

The firings cap a second consecutive 8-9 campaign under Morris, marking the Falcons' eighth straight season without a winning record or playoff appearance—a drought dating back to 2017.

Owner Arthur Blank, in a statement released by the team, expressed appreciation for both men while signaling the need for change.

"I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons," Blank said. "But I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward. The decision to move away from people who represent the organization so well... is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership."

Blank wished both Morris and Fontenot "the absolute best in their future pursuits."

The Falcons announced that searches for a new head coach and general manager will begin immediately and run concurrently.

Morris, hired in 2024 after serving as the team's interim coach in 2020, posted a 16-18 record over two seasons in Atlanta. Despite a strong finish—winning the final four games of 2025—the team was eliminated from playoff contention weeks earlier. Atlanta ended the year tied atop the NFC South but lost the division title on tiebreakers to the Carolina Panthers.

Players voiced support for Morris following Sunday's win. Wide receiver Drake London called him a "big brother" and "father figure," while running back Bijan Robinson and safety Jessie Bates III also expressed hope for his return.

Fontenot, the Falcons' GM since 2021 after a long tenure with the rival Saints, oversaw a 37-48 record across five seasons with no playoff berths. His tenure included high-profile moves like signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a lucrative deal and drafting Michael Penix Jr., but the team never achieved a winning season.

The late-season surge proved insufficient to save either job, as the Falcons' early struggles—including a midseason skid—sealed their fate outside the postseason.

The moves come on the eve of what is traditionally known as "Black Monday" in the NFL, when underperforming teams often make coaching changes. Atlanta's quick action underscores Blank's impatience with the franchise's prolonged mediocrity.

With talented pieces like Robinson, London, and tight end Kyle Pitts on the roster, the open positions are expected to draw significant interest. However, questions at quarterback and cap constraints from past contracts will challenge the incoming leadership.

The Falcons' last playoff appearance remains the 2017 season, when they reached the divisional round. The search for a turnaround begins now. 17GEN4.com