Raheem Morris is heading to Atlanta to become the Falcons’ next head coach, leaving the Rams after three years as their defensive coordinator. It was an up-and-down three years in Los Angeles, with the Rams winning the Super Bowl in Year 1 before going 5-12 in 2022 and then rebounding with a 10-7 campaign this past season.
This stint with the Rams was exactly what Morris needed as he continued to search for his next head coaching opportunity, and he’s getting that in Atlanta – the team he last coached with before joining the Rams in 2021.
In a statement, Morris thanked the Rams for the last three years and added that he knows they have “a very bright future.”
“I am overjoyed for the opportunity for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach,” Morris said. “We know from firsthand experience what a first-class organization Atlanta is and what this team means to its city and its fans. I am incredibly appreciative of Arthur Blank for his leadership and for this entire organization for putting its trust in me to help lead this team. I can’t thank the Rams organization enough for the experience and opportunity with the team. From the Kroenke family, Kevin Demoff, Les Snead, Sean McVay and the entire staff, the Rams are a first-class organization all around. We loved our time in L.A., loved the fans and know the Rams continue to have a very bright future.”
Though the Rams never fielded a top-10 defense under Morris, they overachieved this season with a group that was lacking proven talent around Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones. He helped develop rookies Kobie Turner and Byron Young, while also getting the most out of free-agent signings such as Ahkello Witherspoon and John Johnson III.