Former Atlanta Falcons star Matt Ryan says he’s not surprised the team chose Raheem Morris as its next head coach, saying the team is very close to fulfilling the quarterback’s potential. He said he believed that
Morris won the job over Bill Belichick, who interviewed twice for the job. Morris served as the Falcons’ interim coach in 2019 before Arthur Smith took over. He then served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams from 2021 to 2023 before returning to Atlanta.
Ryan, who spoke to Fox News Digital in Las Vegas on behalf of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, had nothing but good things to say about Morris, especially since the quarterback’s time in Atlanta.
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Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts, 8, celebrates a touchdown against Cordarrelle Patterson during a game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 24, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
“I think there was some consideration about what Bill could bring to the organization, but I’m not surprised that Raheem ended up back there. He’s been with us for six years in Atlanta. “I always thought he was very good. He’s coached all these different positions. He came for us on the defensive side of the ball, switched to offense, played defensively. So I’ve seen him in all of these different capacities. He’s a guy who can do it. He knows how to get the best out of his players. .
Ryan said Morris also has the advantage of knowing the organization well from his past experience with the Falcons.
“He understands the organization,” the one-time MVP said. “I think he’ll be helpful because he knows the inner workings of the organization. He has a great relationship with Arthur Blank. I think he’s a good fit for Atlanta. I really believe that. There’s good football there. I think the team, I think they’re going to do that this offseason to solidify their quarterback position and I’m rooting for them.
The next step is the most difficult part: unlocking the potential of our young players.
Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 10, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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The Falcons have up-and-coming stars on offense in Bejan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake Rondon. However, they changed quarterbacks to Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke.
Ryan said the staff Morris builds will be key. The team named Zach Robinson as offensive coordinator.
“On the offensive side of the ball, I think you’re talking about playmakers on the outside: Drake Rondon, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson in the backfield,” Ryan said. “A really good offensive line, an offensive line that has played well this past year. I think it’s going to depend on the staff he’s putting together and what Zach Robinson can do with them on the offensive side of the ball.”
“I know Raheem cares about Zach. He’s said many times that he reminds him of a young Kyle Shanahan. Raheem was close to Kyle during his time in Washington, so that’s why. He knows what it’s like to be. He’s really close to Kyle. He is.”
Drake Rondon (center) of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with teammates during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 3, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Pereira/Getty Images)
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Atlanta is 7-10 over the past three seasons. The Falcons narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2023 playoffs.
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