The Atlanta Falcons introduced Raheem Morris as the 19th head coach in franchise history last week, but team owner Arthur Blank couldn’t attend the press conference due to a medical issue.
Blank appeared at last night’s NFL Honors ceremony and is currently holding a press conference to discuss hiring Morris as head coach among other topics. Since the team isn’t streaming Blank’s press conference, here’s what we could find from beat reporters on Twitter.
On why Rich McKay left football operations:
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said part of the reason for Rich McKay's move is the experience Raheem Morris & Terry Fontenot have within the football operations.
Said most organizations have the HC & GM report to the owner.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) February 9, 2024
Owner Arthur Blank said the decision to shift the organizational flow chart to move Rich McKay out of day-to-day football operations was two fold:
1) Steve Cannon (Vice Chairman of AMBSE) is in the process of retiring, and McKay will take on a larger role across all of Blank's…
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) February 9, 2024
On Bill Belichick rumors:
Arthur Blank said Bill Belichick never asked for full control of the Falcons organization. He said the narrative that Belichick wanted that level of control was not true.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) February 9, 2024
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Bill Belichick was NEVER offered the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job.
"Where Boomer heard that from, I have no idea," Blank said.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) February 9, 2024
On Falcons QB situation:
Arthur Blank said when it comes to the QB there is not a plan set in stone right now, but he expects conversations about the play will begin happening rapidly in the coming weeks.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) February 9, 2024