Falcons To Pursue Rams' Raheem Morris?

Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris could become the top target to replace Arthur Smith as the Atlanta Falcons coach.

With the 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Los Angeles Rams' season has ended. While the next 24 hours will see the players participate in their exit meetings and locker room cleanouts, for some coaches, like Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, he'll be pursued by other teams to fill their head coach vacancies.

One of those teams could be the Atlanta Falcons, who, after firing Arthur Smith, are reportedly making now-former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick their top target. 

Yet, following the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Green Bay Packers, social media rumors are ramping up that they could enter the Belichick sweepstakes and even take him away from the Falcons, a possibility that NBC's Mike Florio briefly discussed on Sunday ahead of the Rams game.

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.  / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

"And if Belichick ends up not being in play in Atlanta, keep an eye on Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris," Florio said on NBC's Football Night in America. "... We could see him emerge as the new favorite to become the next of the Falcons." 

Despite a failed first stint as an NFL coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-10), Morris has once again become a hot name within the coaching circle. 

Before joining the Rams staff ahead of their Super Bowl-winning 2021 season, he worked under then-Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn in many different roles. From 2015 to 2020, Morris held four different titles, including the interim coaching job following Quinn's firing. 

While his 4-7 record as the interim is nothing to write home about, Morris's stint with the Rams has rebuilt his reputation. 

In his first season with the Rams, Morris helped L.A. win their second-ever Lombardi Trophy as he coordinated a defense that was the league's No. 1 run defense, allowing just 60.2 yards per game while boasting the No. 3 passing defense, which allowed 222 yards. 

Could Rams Benefit if Raheem Morris Gets Coaching Job?

However, his most impressive coaching job with the Rams may have come this season. After an offseason where the Rams offloaded many of their star players that helped them win Super Bowl LVI and replace them through the NFL Draft, Morris was forced to work with a young defense. 

Yet, despite the youth and inexperience, Morris found a way to put together a defense that helped the Rams make the playoffs in a season where many expected them to struggle.