Evaluating the Future of the Atlanta Falcons

As part of his ongoing evaluation process, Arthur Blank has enlisted the help of the consulting firm Sportsology. This firm, which has previously worked with NFL teams, is conducting an audit of the Falcons’ operations. Dianna Russini of The Athletic noted that Rick Smith, a former Texans general manager, has been involved in this audit. Smith had also been one of the candidates interviewed for the recent vacancy in Atlanta before Terry Fontenot was eventually hired.

A Season of Disappointment and Change

After another disappointing year from the Falcons, significant changes could be on the horizon in Atlanta this offseason. Owner and chairman Arthur Blank will spend the rest of the season evaluating the team’s football operations, including head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, these evaluations are expected to lead to major changes.

The Falcons were already eliminated from the playoffs before their win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night. However, their Week 14 loss to the Seahawks secured their eighth consecutive losing season. Atlanta finished the 2024 season with an 8-9 record, marking their first year under Morris. Despite this, the team’s lack of improvement has raised questions about Morris’s future. The same uncertainty surrounds Fontenot, who has been the GM for five years without much progress.

Fontenot’s Controversial Decisions

Among the two, Fontenot appears more likely to leave Atlanta this offseason. He has struggled to find starters in the draft and does not have a strong record outside of the first round. However, he has built a solid offensive line over the years. Fontenot also made several controversial decisions during the 2024 offseason. He signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $160 million deal with $90 million fully guaranteed and drafted Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick just two months later.

Individually, these moves were questionable, but together they created a complicated situation in Atlanta. Cousins was surprised by the Penix selection, which immediately put a timeline on his time with the Falcons. The veteran quarterback started the 2024 season well, but a rough stretch of five games led to an earlier-than-expected transition to the rookie. Penix showed some flashes in his three starts and entered 2025 as the clear starter, while Cousins attempted to force an offseason move out of Atlanta.

Fontenot made another controversial decision in the 2025 draft by trading up from the second round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th overall pick. This move came despite already adding Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall. Fontenot gave up a number of picks in the deal, including second- and third-rounders in 2025 and a first in 2026, which could be a top-10 pick.

Morris’s Challenges and Injuries

Morris has not delivered the immediate success that Blank likely hoped for, but his team has been significantly impacted by injuries this season, especially on offense. Right tackle Kaleb McGary suffered a leg injury in training camp, which removed the left-handed Penix’s blind side blocker for the entire season. Penix then went down with a season-ending injury after nine starts, and Drake London has missed multiple games as well.

The Falcons started the year with a 3-2 record, thanks to a defense that didn’t allow more than 300 yards of total offense in that five-game span. However, they lost five straight games, including some poor defensive performances and ending with Penix’s injury. The result was a season that fell far short of Blank’s expectations, leading to many discussions in Atlanta about the futures of Morris and Fontenot.

While giving Morris another year to see what he can do with a healthier roster makes sense, Blank may be running out of patience with Fontenot’s inability to build a competitive roster.