Raheem Morris’s hiring of Jeff Ulbrich as the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator is not a surprise, given their past working relationship and Morris’s preference for familiar faces in high-level positions. The duo’s partnership dates back to 2015-2020, when they led the team through a tumultuous season marked by significant improvement from 4-7 to 4-12.
Ulbrich joins the Falcons after four years as the defensive coordinator and interim head coach of the New York Jets defense, where he had notable success with the 2022 unit. This appointment is expected to be an upgrade over Jimmy Lake, who struggled to produce a cohesive defense last season.
While Ulbrich’s past performances are promising, it remains to be seen how the Morris/Ulbrich pairing will fare this season. The team faces significant challenges in talent acquisition and development, particularly with regards to its defensive line. They must overcome injuries, aging veterans, and a lack of depth to field a competitive defense.
If Ulbrich and Morris can successfully implement their vision for the Falcons’ defense, they may be able to rewrite the narrative surrounding this offseason’s hires. However, if modest improvements are not enough, the duo will likely face criticism for underperforming against expectations. The 2025 season will be crucial in determining whether their reunion is fruitful or another missed opportunity.
Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/1/19/24346941/the-falcons-are-betting-on-better-results-from-a-more-experienced-jeff-ulbrich-raheem-morris