Rich McKay
FILE - Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instructs his players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn., in this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, file photo. The New York Jets interviewed Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, for their head coaching vacancy. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool, File)
Arthur Smith signs deal to be Falcons coach

By The Associated Press Jan. 16, 2021 03:34 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Falcons interview Chiefs' Eric Bieniemy, 49ers' Robert Saleh

By Charles Odum Jan. 04, 2021 06:14 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, left, and President and CEO Rich McKay confer on the sideline before the team plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Morris says his interview for Falcons job already under way

By Charles Odum Dec. 23, 2020 03:44 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes the catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 12/20/2020

Dec. 20, 2020 01:26 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, left, speaks with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, in Atlanta. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn has been fired after the Falcons dropped to 0-5 for the first time since 1997. The move came just hours after the Falcons lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-16, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. The team also fired longtime general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who had been with the team since 2008. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Atlanta Falcons interview former Texans GM Rick Smith

Dec. 18, 2020 08:27 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) runs after a catch as Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
NFL stages Careers in Football Forum for HBCU students

By The Associated Press Dec. 11, 2020 03:15 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, New York Giants head coach Joe Judge is greeted after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. The Giants started 0-5 and now are leading the NFC East. More significantly, they have made progress everywhere. Of particular note is the accountability Judge and his staff brought. Such culpability was decidedly absent almost since Tom Coughlin left. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer, File)
On Football: Changing cultures a part of new coach's job

By Barry Wilner Dec. 11, 2020 02:53 PM EST

FILE - In this May 22, 2019, file photo, NFL vice president Troy Vincent speaks to the media during an owners meetings in Key Biscayne, Fla. When the Rooney Rule was adopted by the NFL in 2003, Vincent was in his 12th of 15 seasons as an outstanding defensive back. He was soon to become the president of the NFL Players Association, an impactful position he held for four years. He joined the league office in 2010 as vice president of player engagement, and by 2014 Vincent was in charge of NFL football operations. Vincent, who is Black, had made great strides in the sport. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
NFL develops 7-point mobility plan for diversity hiring

By Barry Wilner Nov. 17, 2020 04:31 AM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2018, file photo, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley (98) sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in Atlanta. Defensive end Takk McKinley may have jeopardized his future with the Falcons by using social media to complain about not being traded. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Falcons waive disgruntled former 1st-round pick McKinley

Nov. 09, 2020 05:17 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in the pocket during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons reach bye week on a modest two-game winning streak

By George Henry Nov. 09, 2020 01:49 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) prepares for an NFL game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 in Atlanta. The Lions defeated the Falcons 23-22.(Margaret Bowles via AP)
Broncos' Lock, Falcons' Ryan try to continue season revivals

By Charles Odum Nov. 05, 2020 03:24 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2018, file photo, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley (98) sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in Atlanta. Defensive end Takk McKinley may have jeopardized his future with the Falcons by using social media to complain about not being traded. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Falcons to determine if McKinley 'can even be on this team'

By Charles Odum Nov. 04, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) stops Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Panthers, Falcons look to put mental mistakes behind them

By Steve Reed Oct. 28, 2020 11:24 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings 10/18/2020

Oct. 18, 2020 12:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2015, file photo, Atlanta Falcons assistant head coach Raheem Morris is shown before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Tampa, Fla. The Atlanta Falcons have named defensive coordinator Raheem Morris interim head coach, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, after firing Dan Quinn. Morris is in his sixth season with the Falcons and his first season as defensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Falcons name Raheem Morris interim replacement for Quinn

By Charles Odum Oct. 12, 2020 11:27 AM EDT

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule shakes hands with Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
End of the line: Coach Quinn, GM Dimitroff fired by Falcons

By Paul Newberry Oct. 12, 2020 02:27 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff walks across the field during an NFL training camp football practice Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, Pool)
Falcons fire coach Quinn, GM Dimitroff after 0-5 start

By Charles Odum And Paul Newberry Oct. 11, 2020 10:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2016, file photo, Tennessee Titans' Rashad Johnson, center, and Kevin Byard (31) try to control an onside kick by Cleveland Browns' Cody Parkey (3) during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Browns recovered the ball on the play. The NFL desperately is seeking ways to eliminate the more dangerous plays, and the onside kick has been deemed one. It occurs rarely, and in recent years with alterations to alignments and run-ups, the probably of it succeeding has plummeted. So Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie suggested giving teams an alternative. They could still try the onside kick, or they could opt for a fourth-and-15 play from the kicking team's 25-yard line. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Analysis: Onside kicks versus fourth-and-15s

By Barry Wilner May. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions during a season ticket member fan forum before practice at the Cleveland Browns NFL football team's training camp facility in Berea, Ohio. Several NFL teams are reopening their training facilities Tuesday, May 19, 2020, while many are prohibited by government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell gave the 32 clubs the go-ahead for limited reopenings as long as state and local municipalities allow them. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
NFL coaches could return to team facilities next week

By Barry Wilner May. 28, 2020 02:39 PM EDT

In this May 2020 photo provided by Riddell, a Riddell SpeedFlex helmet sits next to a computer screen displaying information from the InSite tool. Teaming with Catapult, an Australia-based technology company, Riddell is providing coaches, players and medical staff detailed information regarding anything from practice regimens to helmet contacts to overall preparation for athletes. (Riddell via AP)
NFL studying helmet face guard that works like surgical mask

By Paul Newberry May. 20, 2020 12:47 PM EDT