The Atlanta Falcons are one of six NFL teams with a vacancy as head coach and one of seven franchises that need a new general manager. While Falcons continue to interview different candidates – Joe Brady, Eric Bieniemy, Brad Holmes, Morocco Brown and Robert Saleh – analysts continue to rank the different job openings.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports classified the vacancies as chief coach from most to least desirable. Atlanta was listed as the league’s least desirable training destination.
His reasoning is largely due to the age and quarterback Matt Ryan’s limit to 2021. Add that to the fact that the Falcons are now $ 31 million above the projected salary cap for 2021, and any incoming candidate would be behind the jump eight ball. Rich McKay said the candidates do not express concerns openly, but it is difficult to imagine that this is not a factor in accepting a position.
McKay also said he is not willing to compromise the team’s future in any attempt to win now. This probably means that Atlanta will try to hold on to Ryan, if possible. The amount of money killed would handcuff the team in any reconstruction process.
Falcons have some important decisions to make during the off-season, including who to choose with the fourth overall choice in the 2021 draft.