The Falcoholic
Our staff breaks down the Jeff Ulbrich hire.
The Falcons have once again opted to bring home an old friend instead of an outside hire to coordinate Atlanta’s defense, and the feelings about this, understandably, are mixed.
Ulbrich was a promising linebackers coach during his previous stint in Atlanta, one who earned enough trust from the team to be named an assistant head coach, and after Dan Quinn was fired, he became the team’s interim defensive coordinator. He’s gained more experience since then after spending the past four years as the Jets’ defensive coordinator and then the Jets’ interim head coach after moving on from Robert Saleh.
But there were undoubtedly more exciting, fresh names on the market who don’t have a history with the Falcons, and many fans are understandably not amped about it. Below our writers share our thoughts about the hire and what it means for the Falcons, and we invite you to share yours in the comment section.
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I know the team culture and environment are crucial to head coach Raheem Morris, and I know Ulbrich fits that culture. That plus Ulbrich’s experience since leaving Atlanta following the 2020 season are the reasons I’m low-key excited about the hire.
But there’s an elephant in the room, and it’s unfortunately an elephant who can’t rush the passer. The Falcons defense needs more talent, full stop. They have some solid pieces to build around: Grady Jarrett, obviously; Jessie Bates has two more years on his deal, and AJ Terrell is locked up through the 2028 season. But they need more, and acquiring players who can consistently get pressure on opposing QBs has to be a priority this offseason.
I feel like we’ve all been beating this particular drum since the team moved on from John Abraham, and I don’t think any defensive coordinator can be particularly successful in Atlanta without effectively addressing that longstanding need. - Jeanna Kelley
Ulbrich’s familiarity is a double-edged sword. A retread is rarely an inspirational hire, and this one doesn’t break the pattern. At the same time, communication is the most essential quality right now for Raheem’s defensive coordinator. Jimmy Lake is no longer here because he could not execute the vision he and Morris collaborated on going into the season. Ulbrich has never been an architect, but he’s been a good project manager at different points in his career, providing real value to his superiors.
Lake’s inability to perform stretched Morris thin and led to him calling plays and taking a more significant role on the defensive side of the ball. This was not the role Morris was hired for, and it wasn’t how he envisioned his time being spent. Ulbrich has a proven relationship with the head coach and a coaching resume superior to Jimmy Lake’s, but that’s not saying much. Ulbrich has been a good soldier...
