The Atlanta Falcons made a major organizational move recently by hiring former franchise quarterback Matt Ryan to fill the newly created role of president of football. Ryan will now take on one of the most important responsibilities within the organization: leading the search for the team’s next head coach.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank fired head coach Raheem Morris on January 4, along with general manager Terry Fontenot. Morris lasted just two seasons in Atlanta, compiling a 16-18 record and missing the playoffs in both years.
The move extended the Falcons’ playoff drought to eight seasons, a stretch that ultimately tested Blank’s patience. Historically, Blank has been reluctant to make quick coaching changes.
“I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,” Blank said, via ESPN.
Blank is now placing his trust in Ryan, who he has said will have final authority over the head coaching hire.
“In Matt Ryan, Falcons owner Arthur Blank is giving the Falcons’ football operation to someone he trusts implicitly,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. “Expect Atlanta to prioritize the head coaching search — eight openings, so more urgency there.”
The question now becomes who Ryan may favor for the position after officially accepting the role.
Falcons Head Coach Candidate Narrows Down List
Just before Ryan’s hiring was announced, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the former Falcons quarterback had been doing his homework on potential head coaching candidates “for weeks.” At the time, however, one of those candidates was still employed.
That changed when the Baltimore Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh following their regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a loss that eliminated Baltimore from playoff contention. Harbaugh immediately became one of the most coveted coaching candidates in the league.
Blank acknowledged Harbaugh would be considered.
“Well, I mean, John has been one of the most successful coaches in the last 20 years in our league,” Blank said. “Has won at every level, and so he would certainly be a candidate we would want to spend some time with. Whether or not he would have an interest in Atlanta, I don’t know.”
On January 10, Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer reported that Harbaugh planned to narrow his list of interviews.
“Just spoke with John Harbaugh, who told me that while a ton of teams have reached out to him about their openings, he’s going to take the weekend and narrow down to maybe three or four teams to go interview with rather than all across the board,” Glazer wrote on X.
Harbaugh did not specify which teams made the short list.
Could Falcons Meet John Harbaugh’s Demands?
If the Falcons are among the teams Harbaugh chooses to interview with, they may face steep demands.
According to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, Harbaugh is seeking a contract worth $20 million per year, a $10 million staff budget and full authority over roster decisions, along with the ability to select his own general manager.
Ryan’s arrival as president of football could become a key factor in whether Atlanta can meet those expectations, particularly if Harbaugh desires control over both personnel and general manager decisions. The Falcons have already begun interviewing general manager candidates, though no decisions have been finalized. With Ryan now in place, the process is expected to accelerate in the coming days.
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