The Falcons entered last season aiming to break a seven-year playoff drought. At the very least, finishing above .500 for the first time since 2017 would have represented a modicum of progress. It turns out that's all it would have taken to win an underwhelming NFC South in 2025. The Falcons still couldn't do it. While their subpar 8-9 record matched the top mark in the division, tiebreakers doomed the Falcons to a third-place finish behind the Panthers and Buccaneers.
The Falcons rattled off four straight victories to end the season, but it was a hollow winning streak for a team that was eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14. Fed up with another season of unsatisfactory results, owner Arthur Blank hit the reset button on his front office and coaching staff.
In an effort to lead Atlanta back to relevance, Blank lured 14-year Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan from his CBS gig with a newly created position: president of football. Ryan has since steered the Falcons to a new GM and head coach, but not everything has gone according to plan. With foundational edge rusher James Pearce Jr. facing five felony charges, Ryan has already encountered unexpected adversity in his first several weeks atop the Falcons' front office.
Coaching/front office:
Fired general manager Terry Fontenot, head coach Raheem Morris
HiredMatt Ryan as president of football
HiredIan Cunningham as general manager
HiredKevin Stefanski as head coach
HiredTommy Rees as offensive coordinator, replacing Zac Robinson
Retained defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich
HiredCraig Aukerman as ST coordinator, replacing Marquice Williams
HiredAlex Van Pelt as QBs coach, replacing D.J. Williams
HiredBill Callahan as O-line coach, replacing Dwayne Ledford
HiredTanner Engstrand as pass-game coordinator
HiredRobert Prince as wide receivers coach, replacing T.J. Yates
Defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenbergbecame Browns' DC
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