Tag: falcons news

What would the Falcons have to give up for Bears QB Justin Fields?

What would the Falcons have to give up in a potential trade for Bears QB Justin Fields?

When looking at the Atlanta Falcons’ needs going into the 2024 NFL draft cycle, the quarterback position is at the top of the list. However, the team has other needs besides quarterback and if the Falcons can find one in free agency or via trade, they could go in a different direction with their first-round pick.

Many have suggested Atlanta as a potential landing spot for Bears quarterback Justin Fields, but what would it take to acquire him in a trade? While Chicago is hoping for a first-round pick, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Bears don’t seem to think it’s likely at this point:

The key is the team has flexibility; Chicago will be realistic in finding the right return for the 11th pick in the 2021 draft. It’s probably not getting a first-rounder, and it hasn’t been working off any assumption that it will be. Instead, they Bears have looked at historical data points as models. — Albert Breer, SI

It’s hard to imagine the Falcons giving up a first-round pick for Fields when so many other quarterbacks are available in the draft and free agency. Plus, Fields’ contract makes it even more unlikely that Chicago will receive a first-rounder in return. Fields is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract but has a fifth-year option that the Bears have yet to pick up.

So expecting a big return for a player who could end up as a one-year rental doesn’t make much sense. If the Falcons can get Fields for a second-rounder or less, it could be a smart move in the short and long term. The 24-year-old is the same age as some of the top QB prospects in this year’s draft class and could start from Day 1.

Free agency starts next week and whatever happens with Kirk Cousins will likely affect whether or not Atlanta goes after Fields.

Multiple outlets list Falcons as top landing spot for Russell Wilson

Multiple outlets list Falcons as the top destination for veteran QB Russell Wilson

The Denver Broncos took on an unprecedented $85 million in dead cap by releasing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson just two seasons after acquiring him in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson is now set to hit the open market and should have several teams interested in his services.

Don’t be surprised if the Atlanta Falcons are one of those teams. Given their current quarterback situation, the Falcons should at least take a hard look at Wilson. A case could be made that Atlanta is a competent quarterback away from returning to the playoffs in 2024.

Multiple news outlets listed the Falcons as a top landing spot for Wilson in free agency. CBS Sports writer Jordan Dajani thinks Atlanta is an option if Wilson wants to continue starting:

New Falcons head coach Raheem Morris made it clear at the combine that all avenues are open when it comes to Atlanta finding its new quarterback. It could come via trade, free agency or the draft. That makes Wilson an option, especially when you consider that the 35-year-old probably wants to continue starting. – Jordan Dajani, CBS Sports

Morris has been clear that the team needs to find a new quarterback. “If we had better QB play last year in Atlanta, I might not be standing here,” Morris said at the NFL scouting combine last Tuesday. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also feels the Falcons would be a good fit for Wilson in 2024:

An established veteran is attractive to Atlanta, but the sense is that the Falcons will target other quarterbacks. Execs I’ve spoken to largely expect Atlanta to walk away with one of these three quarterbacks. – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

While analysts may be linking Wilson to Atlanta, it’s hard to believe anything you hear in the NFL during this time of year. The latest rumor is Kirk Cousins will sign with the Falcons when free agency begins next week.

Atlanta is also considered a favorite for Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who most anticipate being traded before the 2024 NFL draft in April.

Falcons to hire Packers assistant Justin Hood as secondary coach

The Falcons are expected to hire former Packers assistant Justin Hood as secondary coach

The Atlanta Falcons named five more assistants to head coach Raheem Morris’ coaching staff on Friday, and more coaches are on the way. According to a report from ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the team is expected to hire Green Bay Packers assistant Justin Hood as secondary coach.

Hood spent the last three seasons in Green Bay as a defensive quality control coach. Prior to joining the Packers staff, Hood served two seasons as a defensive pass-game coordinator and secondary coach at Kent State.

Keep up with every Falcons coaching hire using our tracker and make sure to tune in on Monday for Raheem Morris’ introductory press conference.

Atlanta Falcons add 5 more assistants to coaching staff

The Atlanta Falcons have hired 5 more assistant coaches. the team announced on Friday afternoon

The Atlanta Falcons have already filled the majority of positions on their coaching staff and head coach Raheem Morris hasn’t even been formally introduced by the team yet.

Former Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson will take over as offensive coordinator, while Rams assistant head coach Jimmy Lake will step in as the new defensive coordinator. The team opted to keep Marquice Williams as the special teams coordinator.

On Friday, the Falcons officially hired five more assistant coaches.

Atlanta Falcons hire Jimmy Lake as defensive coordinator

The Atlanta Falcons have hired former Rams assistant head coach Jimmy Lake as their new defensive coordinator

The Atlanta Falcons have now hired all three coordinators under new head coach Raheem Morris, the team announced on Monday evening. Two former Los Angeles Rams coaches will fill the offensive and defensive coordinator positions.

Jimmy Lake, who served as the assistant head coach of the Rams in 2023, will take over as the Falcons defensive coordinator. The 47-year-old previously served as the head coach at the University of Washington from 2020-2021.

Lake also has experience working with Morris in Tampa Bay as a defensive backs coach.

For offensive coordinator, the Falcons have hired Rams quarterbacks coach/pass-game coordinator Zac Robinson. The team desperately needed a fresh take on offense and it will help to have someone who coached Matthew Stafford and worked under Sean McVay.

Atlanta opted to keep special teams coordinator Marquice Williams in his current role. Williams has served the last three seasons as the special teams coordinator under former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. Considering how well the special teams units have played under Williams, there was no reason to make a change.

The Falcons plan to introduce head coach Raheem Morris on Monday, February 5.

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Falcons block multiple coaches from taking interviews

REPORT: The Falcons have blocked multiple assistant coaches from taking interviews

The Atlanta Falcons were linked to nine different candidates for their head coach vacancy on Thursday as they attempt to find Arthur Smith’s replacement. While the team goes through its interview process, fans have begun to wonder what will happen to the rest of the coaching staff.

Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen thrived during his first season in Atlanta and many want to see him stay on the coaching staff in his same role. If the Falcons hire a defensive-minded head coach, it’s far less likely that Nielsen would be retained.

However, Atlanta doesn’t appear particularly eager to let any of its coordinators leave just yet. According to multiple reports, the Falcons have blocked three assistant coaches, including Nielsen and special teams coordinator Marquice Williams, from interviewing for other jobs.

Falcons owner says Arthur Smith has ‘not met our expectations’

Falcons owner Arthur Blank on dismissal of head coach Arthur Smith: “The results on the field have not met our expectations.”

The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed head coach Arthur Smith, the team announced just eight hours after Sunday’s 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Falcons owner Arthur Blank released a statement saying it was a difficult decision but that he felt the team was not meeting expectations:

“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” said Blank. “We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations. After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”

The Falcons built a solid foundation under Smith but after three consecutive 7-10 seasons, this team wasn’t moving in the right direction. Atlanta’s running game improved and there’s still a good amount of talent on the roster. However, the quarterback position has consistently held this team back.

After three seasons, there was even less direction than when Smith took over in 2021. The Falcons also said they would begin searching for their next head coach immediately and that both Blank and Rich McKay would be leading the search, with input from general manager Terry Fontenot.

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Falcons named top landing spot for Broncos QB Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson to Atlanta? CBS Sports lists Falcons as top potential landing spot for Broncos QB this offseason

Assuming the Atlanta Falcons don’t go on to win the Super Bowl this season, it seems more likely than not that the team will look to acquire a quarterback in the 2024 NFL offseason.

Desmond Ridder was benched for veteran Taylor Heinicke in Week 16 and  Atlanta played its best offensive game of the season. Heinicke probably isn’t the long-term answer, though.

So will the Falcons look to draft a QB like LSU’s Jayden Daniels, or trade for someone like Bears QB Justin Fields? Both options could be on the table for Atlanta, but another name was floated on Wednesday.

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was benched for the final two games and he could be available this offseason. CBS Sports listed the Falcons as the most logical landing spot for Wilson:

Atlanta hasn’t fielded a sustainable QB since Matt Ryan’s unceremonious exit, so regardless of Arthur Smith’s fate as head coach, they’ll be in the market. The Bears’ Justin Fields registers as a much more appealing possibility, considering his youth and upside, but Wilson could be the best alternative if they can’t move up to secure a top 2024 prospect.

Again, he’s done some of his best work when captaining a run-first attack, and that’s exactly what Smith has been trying to cook up for the Falcons. From Wilson’s perspective, Atlanta also plays in perhaps the most winnable division in the NFL. — Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports

The Falcons could potentially afford to swing a trade for Wilson, but would they want to waste another year on a short-term solution? The upside is there as Wilson was arguably the most consistent QB in the NFL — besides Tom Brady — for nearly a decade.

However, Wilson just hasn’t looked right in Denver over the past two seasons. Perhaps it’s due to the Broncos’ offensive line, or just a lack of chemistry with his teammates, but Wilson has not been the difference-maker that Denver thought it was getting from Seattle.

If the Falcons were to draft a quarterback this offseason, it would make sense to acquire the veteran QB as a stop-gap/mentor. Ultimately, it comes down to the asking price. Wilson is better than any of Atlanta’s current quarterbacks, but exactly how much better remains a mystery.

Chargers claim safety Jaylinn Hawkins, place Raheem Layne on injured reserve

The Chargers shored up the safety room.

In wake of Raheem Layne’s season-ending injury, the Chargers claimed Jaylinn Hawkins off waivers from the Falcons.

To make room for Hawkins, Los Angeles placed Layne on the injured reserve list.

Hawkins, a 2020 fourth-round pick, had 124 tackles, four interceptions, nine passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery across 48 games with 22 starts, most of them coming last season (16).

Hawkins spent his collegiate career at California, where he posted 158 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, ten interceptions, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

Hawkins can play the deep part of the field, come down in the box and line up in the slot.

With Alohi Gilman still dealing with a heel injury, Hawkins could see the field as early as this weekend against the Chiefs.

CBS Sports identifies the Falcons’ best offseason move

CBS Sports identified the #Falcons’ best move of the 2023 NFL offseason

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After years of penny-pinching, the Atlanta Falcons went into the 2023 offseason with the second-most salary cap space in the NFL. The team was able to land one of the best defenders in free agency, while adding some quality veterans and retaining two key offensive linemen.

The Falcons later selected running back Bijan Robinson and guard Matthew Bergeron in the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.

So what was the team’s best move of the offseason? According to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, Atlanta’s signing of former Bengals safety Jessie Bates III stood above all the others:

Was it a quiet offseason for Atlanta? Not on the defensive side of the ball, as the Falcons worked to get players that fit Ryan Nielsen’s scheme. Bates is the centerpiece of the defensive moves, signing one of the best safeties in football to a four-year, $64 million deal. 

Bates had the same impact last year as he had in previous years, finishing with 71 tackles, eight passes defensed and a career-high four interceptions for the Bengals in 2022. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 49.8 passer rating targeting Bates, completing just 59% of their passes.

Obviously, Atlanta’s secondary struggled last season and Bates should be a welcome addition. Could the play-making safety bring out the best of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell? Kerr seems to think so:

The Falcons had a bottom ten pass defense last season, ranking 25th in pass yards allowed and 23rd in pass touchdowns allowed. Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins were their starting safeties last season, so Bates is a massive upgrade. Bates should get A.J. Terrell back to his All-Pro level too. — Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports

Bates was a name we saw linked to the Falcons for much of the offseason, so it’s nice to see the team close the deal on one of the most dominant free safeties in football. Atlanta added a few other pieces to the secondary during free agency, including Bates’ former teammate, Tre Flowers, and nickel CB Mike Hughes.

It will be up to defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen to get the most out of the team’s revamped defense this season.

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