In early April, a few weeks prior to this year’s draft, Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed the status of general manager Terry Fontenot. At the time, Blank did not offer a public vote of confidence, though he did stop short of describing the 2025 season as a make-or-break year for the front office boss.
After his club’s second training camp practice last week, Blank expressly endorsed both Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris, who is entering his second season as Atlanta’s full-time HC.
“I definitely think we have the right people,” Blank said (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi). “I think they continue to demonstrate that, I think, during this offseason, and how they built during free agency and particularly decisions … in the draft. And I think continuing to reflect on the coaching staff, making some changes on the coaching staff. And if the emperor has no clothes, you’ve got to say the emperor has no clothes. And I think our leadership team has done that, and I think that’ll make us better.”
Blank said in April that the Falcons needed to focus on the defensive side of the ball in the draft, and his most recent comments suggest he is pleased with Fontenot’s decision to select edge rusher Jalon Walker with the No. 15 overall pick and then aggressively trade back into the first round to land another EDGE, James Pearce Jr. Atlanta’s attempts to bolster its pass rush in recent years have not yielded consistent results, and Blank appreciates the concerted effort to address the team’s biggest weakness (which also included adding Leonard Floyd and Morgan Fox in free agency).
The 82-year-old owner also seems to respect the difficult decision Morris had to make in cutting ties with former defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and replacing him with Jeff Ulbrich.
“My feeling … is that we’re in a better place now, teamwise, coachingwise, totally across the board than we’ve been in a number of years,” Blank said. “And so, I look forward to the season and a different set of results at the end of the season.”
Blank has long touted the importance of front office and coaching continuity, so it is not surprising that, despite having failed to deliver a postseason berth since assuming the GM post in 2021, Fontenot is still in the fold. But in second-year passer Michael Penix Jr., the team finally has the player it realistically hopes will be the long-term successor to Matt Ryan. If Penix should struggle, and if the Falcons miss the playoff bracket again, it would be fair to wonder about the job security of Fontenot and Morris, regardless of Blank’s feelings on continuity.
For now, however, Blank is striking an optimistic tone while openly backing his top power brokers.
As a non-Falcons fan (thankfully), I endorse him giving ownership to someone else.
I’m a Falcons fan and think he’s good owner. Not sure why he gets so much hate….he’s willing to spend money, is very patient (a little too patient sometimes), and rarely meddles. That hasn’t lead to much success admittedly but not for lack of trying.
Almost never mettles. Always gives back to the city too
Yeah, I’ve seen complaints about Blank before, but I’ve never understood them. He can actually be too patient at times (Rich McKay has a very long leash), but I don’t think he’s a bad owner or even making the wrong decision here.
Fontenot and Morris haven’t had the start to their regime that they wanted, but it’s not a disaster, and there’s some positive potential still. It hasn’t even been three seasons yet. Let’s see what Penix can develop into before asking these questions-that’s why I’d say to the person asking this, at least.
They need a little time I agree
This is only Morris’ second year back as full-time coach. Fontenot needs to get results though. I think he’s rebuilt their team pretty well, but it’s time for it to start showing up in the win column.
It’s actually the most success that franchise ever had. Before the Ryan era, the Falcons never had back to back winning seasons. It’s kind of unrealistic to think you can dominate in a division with a Hall of Fame QB/coach duo and borderline Hall of Famer in Newton also in the mix. Then, at the tail end of their careers, Brady swoops into the division. That’s a lot of competition, but they went to a Super Bowl and had some #1 seed playoff berths in there, so he’s done well. They’ve been rebuilding the last few years, and it should finally bear fruit now that they seem to have a QB and added a pass rush in their draft.
The kiss of death, both will be gone by week 10
Raheem Morris shouldn’t be on an even warm seat right now. Fontenot is a very different story.
We’ll be OK if we get Micah Parsons or Trey Hendrickson
oh man that would be awesome…I doubt either gets traded however.
Certainly not to a team that already traded away next year’s first rounder. But I bet both those guys work out deals in the next ten days anyway.
That’s a good point, it’s definitely going to take some 1st round picks
Would love that
There should be a drinking game for every time Artie says “I think”
My history knowledge is only adequate so I really want to ask Mr. Blank who the last emperor (clothed or unclothed) to sit on a throne in Atlanta was.
OutKast, I think.
As long as he runs the damn ball, Morris should be fine because he knows he wont get another chance at HC if he messes this up. I am still surprised no team has taken a gamble on Cousins yet but we will see by the trade deadline. Any pass rush this year will help the secondary big time. I feel they will upset the Bucs in the first game.
Imo, that’s going to be the division that surprises people in its improvement this year like we always seem to have. Falcons and Bucs should battle it out, but the Panthers should be much improved if their defense steps up. As much as Young’s struggles were highlighted, their defense was historically bad last year.
As for cousins,he should just sit CHILLY,WHY PLAY AND GET UR HEAD TORN OFF,JUST CARRY THE CLIP BOARD AND TAKE UR MONEY. WHO IS GOING TO TRADE FOR COUSINS ANYWAY IF HE HAS A GOOD YEAR HE WONT HAVE TO MANY LEFT, HE IS GETTING OLDER AND FATHER TIME IS CATCHING UP..,.,. CUZZY IS WAY “OVER RATED”.
Time for Fontenot to s*** or get off the pot. I think he did get the best defensive player in this draft though in Pearce, and I think when it’s said and done, Penix will be the second best QB from last year next to Daniels. If he was right about those two players, he’ll have saved his job.
The vote of confidence- the kiss of death