The 2025 season has come to an end, and the New York Jets have a lot of planning to do in the offseason. They have over $74 million in cap space that they can utilize. They will enter the 2026 NFL Draft with four draft picks within the top 45. In addition, they will be searching for their next starting quarterback. However, they will need to make a crucial hire to add to the coaching staff; who will be the defensive coordinator? After firing Steve Wilks in November, the team began its search.
A recent development has introduced an interesting candidate. After finishing 8-9, the Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris. Before accepting the position, Morris has over 20 years of experience on NFL sidelines. Including four seasons as a defensive coordinator between Atlanta and the Los Angeles Rams. Let’s examine Raheem Morris case to be the next New York Jets defensive coordinator.
Ex-Falcons Head Coach Could Be the New Jets DC
During his first season as a head coach, Aaron Glenn and the front office decided to fire defensive coordinator Steve Wilks last month. Despite Wilks’ decades of experience, the personnel on the roster failed to meet expectations of bouncing back. At the time, the Jets defense struggled to generate turnovers, securing only three during that span. However, it wasn’t nearly as egregious as becoming the only team to never generate an interception throughout the entire season. Before this season, the record was previously held by the 2018 San Francisco 49ers with two. Regardless, the Jets defense can’t put this kind of performance next year. Which makes the decision for the new defensive coordinator that much more important.
Falcons part ways with head coach Raheem Morris. pic.twitter.com/4WWl9vbkU5
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2026
Raheem Morris has a lot of experience
In need of an experienced hand on the staff, Raheem Morris would be a viable candidate. Before beginning his over 20-year career in the NFL, Morris grew up in New Jersey before playing for Hofstra University as a safety in the 90s. He began his coaching career splitting his time between Hofstra and Cornell before being hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. Serving as a defensive quality assistant that year, Morris helped Tampa Bay win their Super Bowl in franchise history that season. In 2007, Morris returned to Tampa Bay to serve as defensive backs coach. Two years later, Morris would be promoted to the team’s head coach, replacing Jon Gruden in 2009 at the age of 33. Despite his tenure lasting three seasons, Morris had a successful 2010, leading the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record, but failed to reach the playoffs.
After his tenure with Tampa Bay ended in a 17-31 record, Morris spent a season with the Washington Commanders before beginning a five-year tenure with the Atlanta Falcons. As an assistant under Dan Quinn, Morris served as the team’s assistant head coach during their Super Bowl run in 2016. He also gained more experience on offense, serving as the team’s wide receivers coach during that time. In 2020, Morris would be promoted to defensive coordinator. During the season, Morris would serve as interim head coach after Atlanta fired Dan Quinn in October. After starting 0-5, Morris would lead Atlanta to a 4-7 record during that span. After not being retained as head coach, Morris would spend three seasons as defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams. He’d capture his second championship during the 2021 season after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl.
Morris’ tenure as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons
Four seasons after serving as interim head coach, Morris returned to Atlanta in 2024 to become the team’s full-time head coach. While he fared better over the last two seasons, he failed to register a winning record, finishing 8-9 in back-to-back seasons. The Falcons defense allowed over 23 points per game between 2024 and 2025. However, Morris was successful in generating interceptions. The Falcons ended 2025 finishing sixth in the league in interceptions with 16 on the season.
Why Morris could fit in New York?
While not the perfect candidate, Morris does have a strong case for the job. His recent head coach experience, as well as his history as an assistant head coach, could make him a good defensive mind to pair with Glenn. At only 49 years old, Morris could have a better job connecting with the youth in the Jets staff. Morris played a large role in the development of Hall of Fame cornerback Ronde Barber while in Tampa. As well as helping coach Kobie Turner into one of the best defensive tackles in the league with the Rams. As well as cornerback Cobie Durant. In addition, Morris also has a history with New York, serving as a coaching intern with the Jets in 2001. Coincidentally, this was Aaron Glenn’s final season as a player with the Jets. With his playoff success and decades of experience despite being under 50, Morris makes a strong case for the job.
Main Photo: [Dale Zanine] – Imagn Images