Atlanta Falcons

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy reportedly had a "strong interview" with the Atlanta Falcons about their head coaching vacancy.

A source told Steve Wyche of NFL.com on Saturday that Bieniemy was "prepared, knew everything about the team, had a great plan and is a bona fide candidate" for the Falcons after Monday's meeting. The source added Atlanta officials "absolutely refute" any reports it was a poor interview.

The update comes after Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Cory Woodroof of The Falcoholic) suggested the meeting didn't go well.

"[The Falcons] literally want to hire a Black coach," Wilson said on The A-Team radio show in Houston. "They would love for him to crush the interview. He did not crush the interview, and these teams care a lot about these interviews."

Bieniemy has emerged as a top head coaching candidate over the past couple of years since being elevated to Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2018. He spent the previous five years as the team's running backs coach as part of a 20-year career as an assistant.

The 51-year-old former NFL running back has received a full vote of confidence from Kansas City head coach Andy Reid.

"Well, listen, I think he's top-notch," Reid told reporters Monday. "At the risk of being redundant, I have not seen many guys that are as great a leader as he is of men. And in this business, that's huge. You're never going to have to worry about Eric Bieniemy, never—on the field, off the field."

The Chiefs' star-studded offense, fronted by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has led the NFL in total yardage in two of the three years under Bieniemy's guidance (2018 and 2020). The season in between ended with K.C. winning the Super Bowl, and it's the favorite to defend that title to open this year's playoffs.

If hired by the Falcons, Bieniemy would inherit an offense that underperformed in 2020. The Matt Ryan-led group finished 18th in total offense (368.4 yards per game) and 16th in scoring offense (24.8 points per game).

Atlanta has also interviewed its own interim head coach, Raheem Morris, along with Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as it looks to fill the void left by Dan Quinn, who was fired in October.

A fresh start feels necessary for the Atlanta Falcons. 

The roster is aging in certain areas and won't get the same return the team once received from those veterans, especially at quarterback. 

With a new general manager and head coach about to take the reins after the franchise fired Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff in October, Matt Ryan's future with the franchise should be in question, though his potential departure won't come easily. 

The organization is in flux. It has reached the point where the once-untouchable Julio Jones appears to be a trade possibility, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. 

"I think there will be a lot of teams trying to swing trades—more sellers than buyers—because of the cap, and some big names will be available. I could see someone like that," an NFC executive speculated when speaking to Fowler about Jones.

The financial impact of the salary cap's drop to $175 million for the 2021 campaign from this season's $198.2 million high-water mark will create ripple effects through the league and serves as a good starting point when examining Ryan's marketability. 

The Falcons' biggest obstacle in making a switch at quarterback involves Ryan's ongoing five-year, $150 million contract, which still has three remaining seasons. The only realistic solution is trading the 35-year-old signal-caller after June 1, giving the Falcons a $23 million reprieve for 2021. Even in that scenario, Atlanta will take on the burden of $17.9 million salary-cap hits each for the next two seasons. 

For a possible suitor, the price tag isn't exorbitant, relatively speaking. Ryan's base salary next season is $23 million. The number ranks seventh in actual cash spent. It falls to ninth the following year. From that perspective, Ryan's salary isn't prohibitive, especially for a franchise in search of a win-now veteran.

Because of these financial factors, the asking price for a onetime league MVP shouldn't be much, and it's out of mundane NFL accounting that potentially interested parties will emerge. General managers look years ahead when molding their long-term strategy. The feasibility of trading for a quarterback like Ryan isn't likely for some because of their salary-cap situation, quarterback room or franchise direction. 

In Atlanta's case, the organization can move forward with a potential trade knowing three things.

First, a deal won't bring back 2021 picks or players because of the structure of Ryan's contract. Second, the return won't be gaudy but would still be reasonable as the franchise pursues another direction. Finally, April's fourth overall draft pick, which the 4-12 team is in line for, guarantees a quality quarterback prospect to marry with the incoming head coach instead of trying to repair a broken organizational foundation.

Obviously, the Falcons can't force their hand, but they sit in an excellent position to land Ohio State's Justin Fields or BYU's Zach Wilson, as long as the Miami Dolphins don't trade down from the third overall pick. Even then, North Dakota State's Trey Lance could come into play. (Note: We're assuming the Jacksonville Jaguars will select Clemson's Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick.) 

Three organizations jump to the forefront with a need at quarterback, the capability of winning in the short term as potential playoff squads and long-term financial flexibility. 

New England Patriots

The logical starting point for a trade partner starts with the franchise trying to reignite the flame of a burnt-out dynasty. 

The New England Patriots missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2008. Bill Belichick's squad finished behind both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. The team's offense ranked 27th. Cam Newton, whom the franchise signed as a free agent last offseason, looked like a shell of his 2015 MVP self. 

So, why tread a similar path next season? 

Despite the failed Newton experiment, the Patriots are still well suited for a veteran signal-caller to lead the offense. Newton entered this season after multiple injured reserve stints and can no longer shoulder an offense. Ryan has a different game than his former NFC South counterpart, and the 13-year veteran can still sling the football, as he posted the league's fourth-best total of 4,581 passing yards. 

Jarrett Stidham is the only quarterback from the active roster under contract through next season. Everyone can play the "Is he or isn't he ready?" game again next spring, but the majority already know the answer. 

Even so, the problems extend beyond the quarterback in New England. The Patriots own the league's worst wide receiver and tight end rooms. By concentrating on those positions in the draft and then coming back to quarterback in the summer, New England can shape a new offense. 

Belichick has the patience to wait out a possible deal. After all, the Patriots didn't sign Newton until July 8. Waiting until June to acquire Ryan might bother some franchises; New England won't be one of them. The Patriots already have $63.2 million in projected space, so taking on a $23 million cap hit remains feasible.

Compensation: 2022 second- and sixth-round draft picks

Indianapolis Colts

General manager Chris Ballard is meticulous in his approach to building the Indianapolis Colts roster. He won't make a move just to make one. 

"If we get to a point, and you can read this as you want to read it, a true difference-maker in the free-agent market, I'm good paying for [one]," Ballard said in a radio interview two years ago (h/t Indianapolis Star's Jim Ayello). "But they have to be a true difference-maker, unquestionably. Not the media saying he's a true difference-maker—the tape saying he's a true difference-maker."

Substitute free agency with any type of non-draft acquisition, and the general manager's philosophy comes across loud and clear. 

The Colts will have options at quarterback. Ballard could re-sign Philip Rivers (if the 39-year-old doesn't retire) or Jacoby Brissett. Rivers could be cheaper and wouldn't cost future assets, but he's also three-and-a-half years older than Ryan, while the latter is a better passer. On the other hand, Brissett, 28, is a developing quarterback who still hasn't shown the capabilities of a full-time starter. 

An upgrade at the game's most important position with the potential to last beyond the 2021 campaign should hold value. 

Money isn't an issue since Ballard has done a wonderful job of maintaining the Colts' salary cap over the years and keeping them among the teams with the most flexibility. Indianapolis ranks in the top four in projected salary-cap space in each of the next two seasons.

Of any organization, the Colts can most easily absorb Ryan's contract even as they extend younger players such as Darius Leonard, Braden Smith, Quenton Nelson, Rock Ya-Sin and Bobby Okereke at some point during the final years of the quarterback's deal.

But don't expect Ballard to overspend, even for a signal-caller. 

Compensation: 2022 fourth- and fifth-round draft picks

Washington Football Team

Of the three franchises mentioned, Washington sits in the most precarious position because the team isn't good, per se. Yes, the nameless ones captured an NFC East crown, but it was with a 7-9 record. The team had to rely on Alex Smith's miraculous comeback just to make that happen. 

Smith remains under contract through 2022, which makes Washington the less likely possibility compared to the previous two franchises (plus the fighting Ron Riveras reside in the NFC alongside the Falcons). 

However, Washington can release Smith after this season and save $14.7 million toward the 2021 salary cap. If the team would then entertain a trade for Ryan, his addition would add less than $10 million to the $47.2 million in projected space Washington already owns. 

A move of this type may be more important for Washington than other franchises because the team can't pick higher than 19th overall and will likely miss out on multiple top quarterback prospects. It also needs a veteran to lead an offense that is quite young among its skill positions. 

Rivera prepared for Ryan twice per year for nine seasons. Washington's head coach knows exactly what he would get in the quarterback if the franchise were to swing a deal. 

Meanwhile, the organization could place itself in a position to stay atop the NFC East for multiple seasons instead of potentially fading next year, depending on how its rivals develop after a disastrous campaign for everyone outside the D.C. area. 

Compensation: 2022 second- and fifth-round draft picks

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski. Salary-cap info via Over the Cap.

The Atlanta Falcons announced Thursday they completed a remote interview with Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady about their head coaching vacancy.

Brady is the fourth person who's interviewed with Atlanta's front office, joining Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

The 31-year-old Florida native rose to prominence in 2019 when he served as the passing game coordinator for LSU when Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow put together one of the best statistical seasons in college football history en route to the team winning the national championship.

Burrow, who threw 60 touchdowns and just six interceptions to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy, was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, while Brady left LSU to join the Panthers' coaching staff under new head coach Matt Rhule.

The Panthers' offensive numbers were mostly mundane during his first year in charge. They ranked 21st in total offense (349.5 yards per game), 24th in scoring offense (21.9 points per game) and 18th in passing yards per game (243).

Those numbers come with a few asterisks, though. Star running back Christian McCaffrey, the Panthers' top playmaker, was limited to three games because of injuries, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was forced to learn the system on the fly without on-field offseason team activities or a preseason.

Brady evaluated the team's offensive performance following a Week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos:

"We've had opportunity to score touchdowns and kick field goals, and our goal in every single week is to win the football game. And so, if we're not winning the football game, then we have to evaluate what we're doing," he said. "I know they haven't been the results that we want, but it's something that we want to be a part of it. We got to take make the most of it when we get those opportunities."

Brady, a former William & Mary wide receiver, started his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 2013 and 2014. He then filled the same role at Penn State for two seasons before being hired by the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant in 2017.

If hired as a head coach this offseason, he'd become the second-youngest person to fill that role in NFL history behind only the Los Angeles Rams' Sean McVay, who was 30 at the time of his hiring. Lane Kiffin (31 years, eight months) is currently second on the list based on his 2007 hire by the Oakland Raiders.

The Falcons are searching for the full-time replacement for Dan Quinn, who was fired in October. Morris guided the team to a 4-7 record while filling the void on an interim basis.

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones might be the two most identifiable members of the Atlanta Falcons, but team owner Arthur Blank acknowledged they may not be in the franchise's future plans.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Blank didn't say the Falcons are openly trying to move Ryan or Jones but acknowledged a separation isn't off the table:

"What I think is important, most important, is that we hire people who are, number one, the very best at their jobs. That goes without saying. Who will come forward with a plan for us to have a championship team, a competitive team, et cetera. And that may include Matt and Julio for now, for the next two years, three years, or may not. I have no idea."

Team president Rich McKay told The Athletic's Jeff Schultz and Tori McElhaney in December whomever Atlanta hires as its general manager or head coach may prefer to trade one or both of the stars. In the event that happened, ownership wouldn't stand in the way.

Ryan and Jones are signed through the 2023 season, and they continue to play at a high level.

Ryan threw for 4,581 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2020, while Jones caught 51 passes for 771 yards and three scores. A hamstring problem limited the latter to nine games.

The logic behind keeping them on the roster is largely obvious as they can continue to be the bedrock of the offense.

Executing a rebuild is a little tricker, however, with a starting quarterback and No. 1 receiver who will be 36 and 32, respectively, when the 2021 season kicks off. Their value might also be higher as trade assets since the pair would presumably have plenty of interested suitors across the league.

The Cincinnati Bengals had a similar situation with A.J. Green. Despite a clear lean period coming and Green potentially fetching a nice draft pick, they decided to hold onto him. The net result was four wins and the seven-time Pro Bowler leaving this offseason unless Cincinnati wants to use franchise tag for the second straight season.

Compare that to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who dismantled an elite defense and are now set up nicely moving forward.

Dealing Jones and/or Ryan would mean a short-term hit financially for Atlanta. Here are the salary cap implications for both players, per Spotrac:

Julio Jones

Pre-June 1 Trade

• 2021 Dead Cap: $23.3 million
• 2021 Cap Savings: -$200,000

Post-June 1 Trade

• 2021 Dead Cap: $7.8 million
• 2022 Dead Cap: $15.5 million
• 2021 Cap Savings: $15.3 million

Matt Ryan

Pre-June 1 Trade

• 2021 Dead Cap: $44.4 million
• 2021 Cap Savings: -$3.5 million

Post-June 1 Trade

• 2021 Dead Cap: $17.9 million
• 2022 Dead Cap: $26.5 million
• 2021 Cap Savings: $23 million

While this would be a significant amount of money to eat, it would leave the Falcons' books pretty clean come 2023, when any rebuild would start to bear fruit and the team is closer to playoff contention.

Following their trip to the Super Bowl in 2016, Atlanta has seen steadily diminishing returns. Perhaps swapping out the head coach and general manager will be enough to have the team right back in the postseason hunt.

But nobody should be surprised if a new front office decides to tear things down and start anew.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles could be on the move to a division rival this offseason.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Bowles will interview for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching vacancy next week. 

Bowles is in his second season as defensive coordinator with the Buccaneers, where he has worked to transform Tampa Bay's defense into one of the best in the league. He brings previous head coaching experience from his time with the New York Jets from 2015-18. 

As he led the Jets to a 24-20 record, his defense limited passers to only a 60.6 completion rate, the third-lowest in the league, while limiting opponents to four yards per carry.

Bowles engineered a defensive turnaround during his first year in Tampa Bay, as the team's run defense improved from No. 24 in the league to the best, allowing only 73.8 rushing yards per game and 3.26 yards per carry. The squad's 96 passes defended paced the rest of the league.

This year, Tampa Bay's defense was the best in the NFL at stopping opponents on the ground, limited them to 80.6 rushing yards per game. 

For Bowles to jump ship, it would mean that he felt the opportunity in Atlanta was the perfect match for him. He told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that it's easy to jump at the first head coaching opportunity, but he was past that stage of his career.

"I think the situation has to be right and you go from there," he said. "If the situation's not right ... if it's not a match, I won't take it to take it." 

After a 4-12 campaign in 2020 during which they allowed 398.4 yards per game (fourth-most in the league), the Falcons could surely use some help on defense. A new head coach with a proven history of turning defenses around would be a great option to replace Dan Quinn next season.

Veteran quarterback Matt Schaub, whose 16-year career spanned four different franchises, is retiring. 

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced the move on Monday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

Schaub was selected by the Falcons out of Virginia in the third round of the 2004 draft, and he spent the first three seasons of his career in Atlanta before going on to a seven-year stint with the Houston Texans. He played one season each with the then-Oakland Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens before returning to Atlanta in 2016. 

Schaub appeared in six games for the Falcons as a rookie, including one start when Michael Vick was injured, and then appeared in some capacity during all 16 games in 2005 and 2006. He was traded to the Texans in 2007 for a pair of second-round draft picks, and he was installed as the team's starter.

In 2009, he earned a Pro Bowl nod after leading the league in yards (4,770), completions (396) and attempts (583) with 29 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. He earned his second selection to the Pro Bowl in 2012 after collecting 4,008 yards on 64.3 percent passing with 22 touchdowns.

Following the 2013 season, when he was limited due to injury, he started just three more games throughout his six years in the league, though he appeared in 11 with the Raiders in 2014. 

He made one start through the four years that made up his second stint with the Falcons, filling in for an injured Matt Ryan, and appeared in one game this season. 

The 39-year-old concludes his career with 25,467 passing yards and 136 touchdowns through 155 appearances and 93 starts. 

He told Kelsey Conway of AtlantaFalcons.com that he wasn't sure what his post-playing career would hold, though he knows he wants to "be around the game." 

Longtime New Orleans Saints executive Terry Fontenot is expected to be a candidate for the Atlanta Falcons general manager position. 

In his weekly MMQB column, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Fontenot "looms as a prime candidate" for the Falcons.

Breer noted he "wouldn't be surprised if the first move leaguewide" is Atlanta finalizing a deal with a new GM. 

Atlanta will not be without competition for Fontenot, however. Breer reported Fontenot will meet with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday and that the Jacksonville Jaguars have also requested an interview.

The Falcons have had plenty of time to go over potential candidates for the job. They fired Thomas Dimitroff, along with head coach Dan Quinn, on Oct. 11 after the team started this season 0-5. Dimitroff was in his 13th season with the organization after being hired in January 2008. 

Atlanta's next general manager will walk into a potential rebuilding situation. The organization hasn't made the playoffs since 2017. Matt Ryan is still a good quarterback, but he's going to turn 36 in May. The Falcons are currently projected to be $24.7 million over the salary cap in 2021, per Spotrac. 

Fontenot has spent 16 seasons with the Saints. He's the director of pro scouting and has been instrumental in drafting players like Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport, Ryan Ramczyk, Marshon Lattimore and Trey Hendrickson. 

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh are expected to interview for a couple of head coaching jobs this week.

The Atlanta Falcons will reach out to Bieniemy about their vacancy, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Saleh will speak with the Falcons as well.

Per The MMQB's Albert Breer and CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, the Detroit Lions plan to interview both Bieniemy and Saleh.

Bieniemy is the architect of Kansas City's potent offense, making him a logical candidate for a team looking to improve on that side of the ball.

Having Patrick Mahomes inevitably makes any coach look good to some extent, but the Chiefs aren't explosive simply because they have a lot of talent. Bieniemy and Andy Reid think outside the box to keep opposing teams on their toes.

The Chiefs earned a bye for the Wild Card Round, so Bieniemy can begin speaking with other teams.

San Francisco's season ended Sunday with a 26-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, thus freeing up time for Saleh to pursue outside opportunities.

The 41-year-old has served in his current role for four seasons. During that time, the Niners have ranked 26th, 24th, second and sixth (entering Sunday) in defensive efficiency, per Football Outsiders.

Those first two years were shaky, but Saleh eventually turned San Francisco into one of the NFL's best defensive teams. He might be doing his best work in 2020, too, given how many players have been lost to injury for some or most of the campaign.

The Falcons moved on from Dan Quinn in October. Prior to coaching Atlanta, Quinn had been a defensive coordinator, so it's a little surprising the organization is considering going back to that well again.

Having said that, the Falcons won't be going anywhere as long as they're allowing 392.6 yards per game, which was fifth-most in the league entering Week 17. The team just surrendered 485 yards and 44 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a defeat Sunday.

As impressive as Saleh's resume might be, Falcons fans might wind up disappointed if the franchise misses out on Bieniemy. Imagine what he could do with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.

Detroit, meanwhile, parted ways with coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn in late November following a 4-7 start. The team responded by winning its next game but finished the season with four consecutive losses.

Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris is reportedly interviewing for the full-time HC role Friday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Morris took over in Week 6 after the team's 0-5 start under Dan Quinn. Things initially turned around in Atlanta with four wins in the next six games, but the interim coach is now just 4-6 leading the squad this season.

The 44-year-old has been with the Falcons since 2015, working as an assistant head coach, receivers coach and passing game coordinator before beginning 2020 as the defensive coordinator.

Morris also spent three seasons as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, producing a 17-31 record from 2009-11. The team went 10-6 behind quarterback Josh Freeman in 2010 but fell short of the playoffs.

The coach has already earned plenty of praise in the Falcons locker room, including from quarterback Matt Ryan.

"We all support him," Ryan said in early December, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN. "I mean, there's no doubt about it. He's been with us; [he's] in his sixth year with our organization. Coached on both sides [of the ball]. So he's got a tremendous amount of respect from everybody in our locker room."

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich also gave his endorsement for Morris to be a head coach.

"In this day and age, this current player, this current culture in the NFL, there is not a better candidate in my opinion," Ulbrich said, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. " ... I think given this opportunity (to run) this organization, this fanbase is going to be very excited what he can do for the Atlanta Falcons. I really do."

If the front office feels the same way, Morris could get an opportunity to turn things around for a squad that has now gone three straight seasons without a playoff appearance.