The Atlanta Falcons have fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after one season, the team announced on Saturday afternoon. Defensive line coach Jay Rodgers has also been relieved of his duties.
Head coach Raheem Morris addressed both firings in a statement:
After a thorough evaluation of the season, and with careful consideration for our team’s future, we deemed these moves necessary. These decisions are never easy from the human side of things and we wish Jimmy, Jay and their families the best. — Falcons head coach Raheem Morris
Atlanta’s defense recorded just 10 sacks in the first 11 games of the season before breaking out somewhat over the second half. The team finished with 31 sacks. However, a lack of defensive pressure became a problem late in the year.
The Falcons struggled with mobile quarterbacks and had no answer for Jayden Daniels or Bryce Young in the final two games of the season. The team would have won the NFC South with wins over the Commanders and Panthers.
Instead, Atlanta allowed a combined 74 points over the last two weeks, losing both games in overtime. Morris was non-committal when asked if the team would retain Lake as defensive coordinator during his Monday press conference.
“We got to evaluate all of our coaches. We got to evaluate all of our players,” said Morris. “That’s the process that happens now. There will never be anything that’s the same in the National Football League.”
With Lake out of the picture, the search begins for Atlanta’s next defensive coordinator.