Potential Vikings Defensive Fit Was Fired Sunday Night

The Atlanta Falcons wasted no time Sunday evening, choosing a change after consecutive shedding seasons by firing basic supervisor Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris. Fontenot received’t issue into the Minnesota Vikings’ plans within the offseason, however Morris would possibly.

If Flores strikes on, Minnesota will want a brand new defensive boss. and Morris checks the background, ties, and schematic containers.

Current defensive coordinator Brian Flores might go away this month or subsequent for a head teaching job, and in that case, the Vikings would want a substitute. Morris must be thought-about a frontrunner for the job.

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Why Raheem Morris Fits if Minnesota Loses Brian Flores

Morris is out in Atlanta, and meaning one thing to the Vikings.

Falcons Pull the Lever on Change

As a package deal deal, Fontenot and Morris had been proven the door after Week 18. ESPN’s Marc Raimondi wrote, “The Atlanta Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night after two straight disappointing seasons.”

“Their exits came hours after Atlanta wrapped up an 8-9 campaign with a 19-17 home win over the New Orleans Saints. Fontenot had been with the Falcons since 2021. Morris was hired in 2024.”

Some NFL followers believed Morris may be afforded grace after his crew received 4 straight video games to shut out the season. The Falcons even personally despatched the Carolina Panthers to the playoffs on Sunday by beating the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta disagreed with the grace angle.

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Falcons proprietor Arthur Blank launched the next assertion: “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.”

Both Fontenot and Morris will want new jobs across the league, and Morris might pique the Vikings’ curiosity.

Brian Flores Eyeing HC Job

Last 12 months, Flores interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, franchises that later employed Liam Coen and Aaron Glenn, respectively. There’s no motive to imagine Flores would refuse head teaching alternatives this cycle if he entertained them one 12 months in the past.

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In reality, reporters grilled Flores final week about his 2026 plans, and with a smile, he mentioned he would go away the offseason to the offseason, specializing in the week at hand. It was the right alternative for Flores to say, “I’m staying put here in Minnesota.”

Of course, he didn’t do this — as a result of he needs to be a head coach once more. And he ought to.

If one other crew hires Flores for the massive job, the Vikings will naturally want a brand new chief. Morris will high many DC-needy groups’ lists.

The Kevin O’Connell + Raheem Moriss Connection

O’Connell labored for Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021, profitable a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford and pals in 2021. That championship paved the way in which for the Vikings to rent O’Connell, a relationship that has now lasted for 4 seasons.

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Guessed who coordinated the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning protection in 2021? Raheem Morris.

Coaches love tapping their former coworkers for responsibility, and O’Connell could also be no totally different this go-round. He and Morris are buddies. That means one thing in sports activities. O’Connell will persuade himself that he can win a Super Bowl with Morris in Minnesota as a result of they completed the duty in Los Angeles.

Think of it this fashion: if Flores takes a head teaching gig, Morris will instantly turn into the frontrunner to land the Vikings’ defensive coordinator job. Take that to the financial institution. U.S. Bank, even.

If not Morris — Then Who?

The would-be list for Flores’ replacements is clearly topic to vary, however right here’s how the candidates would possibly look along with Morris:

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• Daronte Jones (Vikings Def. Passing Game)

• Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals HC — if fired)

• Patrick Graham (Raiders DC)

• Jerod Mayo (Former Patriots HC)

• Todd Bowles (Buccaneers HC — if fired)

• Jeff Ulbrich (Falcons DC)

• Wink Martindale (Former Michigan DC)

Besides Jones, Minnesota’s present defensive passing sport coordinator and former LSU defensive coordinator, no man on that record has clearer ties to O’Connell than Morris.

That’s why he’s in pole place for the job if Flores skedaddles.

Flores’ future ought to take form inside the subsequent two weeks. The Las Vegas Raiders most likely take advantage of sense for his subsequent job because of the Tom Brady connection. Brady and Flores had been coworkers in New England for a few decade.