ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have made changes at the top Sunday after another lackluster season.
The team fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, NFL league sources confirmed to Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein on Sunday.
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Morris leaves the team after two straight 8-9 seasons with no playoff appearances. Fontenot finished his fifth season in Atlanta with a 37-48 during his tenure and no playoff appearances.
The team released a statement verifying the move. A search for their replacements will begin immediately
Owner Arthur M. Blank said in the team’s statement wishing Morris and Fontenot well while admitting the results on the field didn’t live up to expectations.
I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward. The decision to move away from people who represent the organization so well and have a shared commitment to the values that are important to the organization is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership. I wish Raheem and Terry the absolute best in their future pursuits.
— Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank
The Falcons ended the season with four straight wins, improving Sunday to an 8-9 record. The last game of the season was a consolation prize win against the rival New Orleans Saints 19-17 on Sunday.
The Falcons’ win gave the NFC South title to the Carolina Panthers.
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