5 Head Coaching Candidates the 2026 Atlanta Falcons Could Pursue If Morris Fails

The Atlanta Falcons season is off to a rocky start in year two under Raheem Morris posting a 3-6 record through nine games. The Falcons, led by GM Terry Fontenot, were aggressive in the 2025 NFL draft moving their 2026 first-round pick, along with other draft compensation, to the Los Angeles Rams for their 2025 first-round selection. That pick turned into James Pearce Jr., who has flashed in his rookie campaign. The traded pick is currently projected eleventh overall in the upcoming draft, certainly not where the Falcons are hoping it ends up.

A head coaching change could be on the Falcons’ horizon if Morris can’t turn this season around, so let’s take a look at some of the top targets the Falcons are likely to consider.

5 Head Coaching Candidates the 2026 Atlanta Falcons

Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator, Seattle Seahawks

With the Seahawks offense thriving, Kubiak is likely to receive many head coaching offers in the following season. The Falcons are a team Kubiak should have at the top of his list. Roster talent speaks for itself with the likes of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and 2nd year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on the offensive side.

Defensively, the team has flourished under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich with a league best 162.3 passing yards allowed per game, and ranks top ten in total yards allowed per game, according to Fox Sports. The team doesn’t lack defensive talent either with Jessie Bates III, A.J. Terrell, and rookie first round picks, Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.

The Seahawks’ offense ranks ninth in offensive yards per game carried by their passing attack ranking sixth. If Kubiak is looking for a team with top-end talent, the Falcons may be too intriguing to pass up.

Brian Daboll, head coach, New York Giants

Daboll’s time in New York was full of ups and downs. In Daboll’s first season with the Giants, they reached the divisional round after knocking off the 13-4 Minnesota Vikings. After a surprising start, expectations weren’t met in the following seasons.

The team declined led by inconsistent play from now thriving Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback, Daniel Jones. Jones was cut during the 2024 season leaving the Giants with bottom tier quarterback play for the rest of the year. Following a 2-8 start to the 2025 season, Brian Daboll was fired. Prior to his time in New York, Daboll was the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator.

The reigning MVP of the NFL Josh Allen said this in regards to Daboll, “He’s meant so much to me in my football career and in my life for that matter…When you look at the grand scheme of things in terms of football and how to handle being a quarterback in this league, relying on the knowledge he has and the guys he’s been around in his career, I spent a lot of time with him.”

If the Falcons want someone who can directly impact the development of Michael Penix Jr., Daboll is a proven option they can target.

Jeff Ulbrich, defensive coordinator, Atlanta Falcons

There is a real chance the Falcons could promote Ulbrich. Like Morris, Ulbrich had worked with the Falcons prior to his current run as coordinator. He served as the team linebackers coach from 2015-2020 which included the Super Bowl LI run. As mentioned prior, the Falcon defense is playing exceptionally well so far. Injuries, lack of experience, and new acquisitions haven’t faltered the 2025 defensive group from shining.

This isn’t the spiciest move the team can make, but it is a safe one. Ulbrich has experience as an interim head coach with the New York Jets and Falcons owner Arthur Blank noted that Morris’ past experience with the team was a key factor in the signing. Familiarity could be a reason the team would ultimately promote Ulbrich to head coach.

The Zac Robinson led offense has struggled with consistency in the 2025 season with great performances against the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings, but poor performances against the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.

Ulbrich is the in-house front-runner to get promoted if the Falcons choose to go down that route.

Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers

Minter is another candidate who will be highly sought after. The Chargers rank fifth in total defense this season and were eleventh in total defense in 2024, according to Fox Sports. Minter is a part of the Jim Harbaugh coaching tree dating back to his time with the Michigan Wolverines. Following Harbaugh he joined the Chargers staff last season.

Before deciding to sign with the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh was a candidate for the Falcons head coaching position. There was serious interest in the pairing, conducting both the initial and second interview with the team. Ultimately the Falcons went with Morris and Harbaugh signed with the Chargers.

Being that the Falcons missed out on the Harbaugh success, bringing in his disciple in Minter could be a decision to right that objective wrong. Minter is already being reported as a top-candidate for the recently opened New York Giants head coaching position, according to Sports Illustrated.

If the Falcons’ front office is willing to get into a bidding war, Minter is the top defensive candidate.

Kliff Kingsbury, offensive-coordinator, Washington Commanders

After his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals, Kingsbury resorted back to the college scene taking a job with USC as a Senior Offensive Analyst. He was with the Cardinals for four seasons before an uglier exit with the team. Kingsbury served as the Texas Tech head coach where he led an air-raid offense. That offense highlighted three time super bowl champion, Patrick Mahomes. Following successful years with the Red Raiders, he took on the job with Arizona.

There he led the Cardinals to a playoff berth in 2021. Stories of a bad connection with franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, led to his firing after a 4-13 season. Kingsbury got back into the NFL as the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator in 2024. The Commanders offense ranked seventh in total offense last season led by rookie phenom, Jayden Daniels. The team reached the NFC Championship under head coach Dan Quinn, but Kingsbury’s offense was a pivotal factor in their success.

Injuries have plagued the Commanders offense in 2025 including missed time from Daniels. The Commanders rank eighteenth in total offense in 2025, according to Fox Sports. This injury riddled season could benefit the Falcons if they are looking to bring in Kingsbury, possibly discounting the former head coach.