The Atlanta Falcons have a new head coach, and his name isn’t Bill Belichick.
Shockingly, the Falcons have reportedly made the decision to hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris over the legendary six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach.
Atlanta interviewed with Belichick twice with most signs indicating him as the frontrunner for the job. Yet, they continued to talk to other candidates while wining and dining the former New England Patriots coach. It was a competitive coaching market this time around, and the Falcons will move forward with Morris as their coach of the future.
That potentially leaves Belichick without a job in 2024. There are still coaching openings with the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks, but Belichick hasn’t interviewed for either job.
Is this a big mistake by the Falcons? What’s next for Belichick? Here’s what people were saying on Twitter about the hiring on Thursday:
The #Falcons were the only team to interview legendary coach Bill Belichick, and there are no known scheduled interviews. Potentially, Belichick could sit out the year and await an opportunity in 2025.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick getting the call that the Falcons are going with Raheem Morrispic.twitter.com/Rh1vVB310a
— Breyon (@bre_88) January 25, 2024
Raheem Morris to Bill Belichick after beating him out for The Atlanta Falcons job pic.twitter.com/ufRKubNNJf
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) January 25, 2024
In the end, Arthur Blank ultimately chose Rich McKay over Bill Belichick. He chose McKay’s decision making and football decisions over the greatest coach in NFL history. I’m stunned. #Falcons
— Mark Zinno (@MarkZinno) January 25, 2024
The #Falcons passed on the greatest head coach of all time, Bill Belichick and hired Raheem Morris because Arthur Blank was unwilling to let Bill run a functional team and let go of his puppet
Rich McKay.WILL NOT WIN A PLAYOFF GAME FOR THE NEXT DECADE. Joke of a franchise.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick would’ve changed culture of the Falcons but it is his lack of humility after terrible four years that probably did him in. Probably still thought he could be power broker he was in New England and Arthur Blank not playing that game.
I’m excited for Raheem Morris.
— steakshapiro (@steakshapiro) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick after getting passed up for the Falcons job: pic.twitter.com/grlUcRRkr1
— Korked Bats (@korkedbats) January 25, 2024
I thought Bill Belichick was 100% a lock for the Falcons.
They go with Raheem Morris.
Does this mean Belichick goes to Washington? Or goes jobless?! 😳
Seahawks can guarantee themselves now… Ben Johnson or Mike Macdonald if that’s who they want.
Or Bill Belichick? 🤔
— Sami ON Tap (@SamiOnTap) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick after not getting the Falcons job: pic.twitter.com/62jwvAn5xS
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) January 25, 2024
The Falcons were basically up 28-3 to when it came to landing Bill Belichick.
They didn't get the job done again. pic.twitter.com/lYnq6NIqUK
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) January 25, 2024
Wow. The Falcons hired Raheem Morris over Bill Belichick.
— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) January 25, 2024
Rich McKay to Bill Belichick… #Falcons pic.twitter.com/kIdGCdbkjk
— Sam Franco (@samjfranco) January 25, 2024
Yo falcons you guys are the favorite to hire Bill Belichick what are you going to
The Falcons pic.twitter.com/iK0B8MOgOh
— 𝕯𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖔𝖓 𝕶𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖆𝖎𝖉 || (@AllenToKincaid_) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick seeing the Falcons hire Raheem Morris as their HC 😂 pic.twitter.com/pQ9xnuN2tr
— Brady Hamilton (@BradyH_216) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick realizing the Falcons chose Raheem Morris over himself as head coach. 🫨 pic.twitter.com/ZeQVtV7zhC
— Sportsbook Review (@SBRReview) January 25, 2024
Obviously circumstances in our current moment are unique and the Bill Belichick of today is not who he once was but it is still wild to see a team in the Falcons seemingly not do anything/everything possible to get him to be their head coach
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) January 25, 2024
I can’t even imagine being a Falcons fan and not getting Bill Belichick
— Johnny Five (@JohnMurachanian) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick blew a two-interview lead with the Falcons?
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) January 25, 2024
It's really no surprise at this point Bill Belichick didn't get the Falcons job. It was clear Atlanta was strongly exploring other options when it continued conducting interviews after a second meeting with Belichick. The question is whether his demands were too great.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 25, 2024
