NFL Black Monday’s chaos begins as Falcons fire Morris, and these three coaches could be next on the chopping block

NFL Black Monday kicked off early this year as the Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night. The moves signaled the start of the NFL coaching carousel as teams make major decisions heading into the offseason. Multiple other coaches now find themselves firmly on the hot seat as the league continues evaluating leadership changes.

Falcons Clean House Despite Strong Finish

The Atlanta Falcons did not hesitate when the regular season ended Sunday night. Owner Arthur Blank announced both Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot were dismissed immediately after the team’s 8-9 record was finalized.

“The results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership,” Blank stated. The team finished strong with four consecutive wins to close the season, but the late surge wasn’t enough to save either executive’s job. Fontenot had been with Atlanta since 2021, while Morris was hired exactly two years ago.

Several Falcons players including Drake London and Bijan Robinson had expressed hope that Morris would return for a third season. Their wishes went unheeded as the organization opted for complete change at the top.

Morris Couldn’t Overcome Personnel Struggles

Raheem Morris compiled a 16-18 record over two seasons leading the Falcons. The turnaround never materialized despite his experience as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams and their Super Bowl championship team.

Atlanta’s quarterback situation proved problematic throughout Fontenot‘s tenure. The team cycled through five different quarterbacks since Matt Ryan’s departure in 2021, including Kirk Cousins, who was signed to a four-year deal worth at least $100 million guaranteed. Later that same offseason, the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.

Cousins struggled down the stretch while Penix suffered a torn left ACL in Week 11. The franchise has not had a winning season for eight consecutive years and failed to reach the playoffs since 2017.

Which Coaches Face the Hottest Scrutiny?

Coach	Team	Status
Kevin Stefanski	Cleveland Browns	Hot Seat – 45-56 in 6 seasons
Pete Carroll	Las Vegas Raiders	Hot Seat – Expected to depart
Jonathan Gannon	Arizona Cardinals	Hot Seat – 15-35 in three seasons
Mike McDaniel	Miami Dolphins	Potential Consideration

Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns faces heavy scrutiny entering the offseason. His team finished with another disappointing season despite high expectations. Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders is expected to “divorce” from the organization according to ESPN reports.

Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals are also under the microscope after a 15-35 record over three seasons. Meanwhile, Mike McDaniel‘s future with the Miami Dolphins remains uncertain as the organization evaluates all options.

Mid-Season Firings Further Shaped the Landscape

This coaching cycle already saw significant changes before Black Monday arrived locally. The New York Giants fired Brian Daboll during the season, while the Tennessee Titans relieved Brian Callahan of his duties after a 1-5 start.

Callahan finishes with a 4-19 record over two seasons with the Titans. Interim coaches Mike Kafka (Giants) and Mike McCoy (Titans) must now be evaluated for permanent positions going forward.

These moves underscore how quickly the NFL can pivot when performance doesn’t meet organizational standards. Teams showed no patience with struggling regimes.

What Does the Rest of Black Monday Hold?

The coaching carousel is expected to continue gaining momentum. Multiple reports suggest at least three head coaching positions will be filled this offseason as teams complete their searches. The Falcons themselves have already announced they’ll begin looking for both a new head coach and general manager immediately.

With several prominent coaches potentially departing their current roles, the competition for elite coaching talent will intensify. Organizations must act quickly to secure top candidates before rivals claim them. The next week promises continued movement and potentially surprising announcements as the wheel keeps turning in the NFL’s annual coaching shuffle.

Sources

• ESPN – Falcons fire Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot after two disappointing seasons
• NFL.com – Official Falcons coaching carousel announcements and conference statements
• New York Post – NFL Black Monday live updates on coaches fired, rumors, and latest hirings