The promise of the NFL’s best offense has dissolved into an all-too-familiar 5-9 reality for the Atlanta Falcons, and the clock may be ticking for Head Coach Raheem Morris. As things stand, they’re down in 3rd place behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South, and according to an NFL insider, Morris’ job is looking more uncertain than ever.

According to Ian Rapoport, Falcons owner Arthur Blank will reevaluate everything at the end of the year. That includes Raheem Morris’ job.

“My understanding is that owner Arthur Blank is going to evaluate the entire football operation at the end of the year. That includes coach Raheem Morris. If there are changes to be made, he will make them,” he said on Thursday before the Falcons vs. Buccaneers Week 15 game.

After a 3–2 start, Atlanta lost five straight games and entered Week 15 at 4–9, officially being eliminated from playoff contention. This marks their eighth consecutive losing season, tying a franchise record.

What makes it hurt even more is how open the division has been. Tampa Bay and Carolina were hovering at 7–6 (before Week 15). Nine wins could’ve taken them atop the NFC South. Instead, Atlanta never got close, which is hard to swallow considering the talent on the roster.

Morris is an easy guy to root for. He earned his chance as a head coach through years of strong work, respected leadership, and defensive success. Players love him. Coaches rave about him. But whether he deserves a third season in charge isn’t up to sentiment. It’s up to Arthur Blank.

Atlanta’s issues run deep. After the Week 14 loss to the Seahawks, the Falcons ranked 31st in third-down conversion rate at 31%, held the league’s worst EPA per play on third down, and had the fewest third-down conversions in the NFL (48). Those are losing-team numbers, and like it or not, it all circles back to inconsistent quarterback play.

Atlanta’s quarterback play has been shockingly poor

Atlanta went all-in at quarterback in the 2024 offseason. They signed Kirk Cousins, coming off a torn Achilles, to a four-year deal with $100 million guaranteed. Then, after insisting Cousins was their present, they used the No. 8 pick on who they believed would be their future: Michael Penix Jr.

By the time the 2025 season rolled around, Penix got handed the starting job. Cousins accepted a backup role. On paper, it looked like a dream setup: a high-ceiling sophomore learning behind one of the most polished veterans in the league. But nothing has played out the way Atlanta envisioned. Ian Rapoport laid it out bluntly.

“A lot of problems this season go back to the quarterback. Kirk Cousins has simply not lived up to the $180 million contract that he signed. Backup Michael Penix has been inconsistent, just as he was in college. And when he struggles, everything struggles,” he said.

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Penix tore his left ACL in Week 11 against Carolina, and even before the injury, the returns were disappointing. He completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Since then, Cousins has reclaimed the job, but he hasn’t been better. Penix ranks 28th in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric with a score of 70.0; Cousins sits all the way down at No. 40 with a 60.0.

So here’s the crossroads for Raheem Morris: Who will be his Week 1 starter in 2026, if he’s still the one making that decision?