Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has confirmed that there will be no changes to the team’s special teams coaching staff following a difficult performance against the New York Jets.
Speaking Monday, Morris repeated his stance from Sunday after the Falcons’ 27-24 loss at MetLife Stadium, where special teams mistakes were a significant factor. “We played awful yesterday on special teams,” Morris said. “I don’t know how to say it any other way.”
During the game, three main errors stood out. The first occurred when returner Jamal Agnew muffed a punt near the goal line, allowing the Jets to recover and score a touchdown for an early lead. Morris explained that returners are taught not to step past the 8-yard line when catching punts, noting: “You don’t back up. That rule is the same. That rules does not change. … You can take that one from your Pop Warner days to your high school days to your pro days. That mistake can’t happen. That was just inexcusable.”
Later, kicker Zane Gonzalez missed a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter—an issue Morris called less concerning but still notable given the close scoreline.
The most damaging play happened at the start of the fourth quarter when Atlanta gave up an 83-yard kickoff return after Bradley Pinion kicked off to New York’s Isaiah Williams, who advanced deep into Falcons territory. Although Atlanta’s defense limited New York to a field goal on that drive, it allowed them to tie the game.
Morris discussed why Pinion did not always aim for touchbacks: “We kicked it in the end zone strategically,” he said. “(Nos.) 18, 34 — they’re pretty good returners. We had not been playing well in that phase. Didn’t want them to affect the game.” He added: “Made a decision to kick it — the one we did kick to them — to try to gain some momentum… And boy, did that bite me.”
The approach aimed at limiting returns was based on league statistics showing strong performance by Jets returners and struggles by Atlanta’s coverage unit; prior to Sunday’s game, New York ranked third in average yards per kick return while Atlanta was near last.
After their performance against Atlanta, New York now leads in average yards per kick return this season and Atlanta ranks last defensively in this category.
Questions have arisen about possible changes among special teams staff members such as coordinator Marquice Williams and assistant Steven King due to ongoing problems throughout this season.
However, Morris made clear his position: “No,” he said regarding potential staff adjustments. “Not at this time. We are obviously in the midst of the season. I got a lot of confidence in what Marquice does. I got a lot of confidence in the coaching techniques. I got a lot of confidence in the guys to go out there and execute it. We just have not done that.”
