Falcons' coaching change raises concerns for team's immediate future

It didn't take long for Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris to find a scapegoat for his team's Week 3 embarrassment.

One day after a resounding 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers (1-2) that dropped the Falcons to 1-2 (both losses have come against division foes), the Falcons fired wide receiver coach Ike Hilliard. He served in the role since February 2024, when he was hired as part of Morris' initial coaching staff.

Why did Atlanta Falcons move on from their WR coach?

Through three games, Falcons receivers (and tight ends, for that matter) have yet to register a touchdown. Standout 2022 first-round wide receiver Drake London has had a rough start, averaging 9.9 yards per reception, while Ray-Ray McCloud III and Darnell Mooney have combined for 135 yards on 11 receptions (27 targets).

While his unit has underperformed relative to expectations, Hilliard's firing feels like a panic move by the Falcons, who can't afford a losing season after trading their 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for rookie edge-rusher James Pearce Jr.

He is the same coach, after all, who nearly had two 1,000-yard receivers a season ago, with Mooney ending the year with 992 yards and London a career-high 1,271. Hilliard wasn't responsible for quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s rough game against the Panthers, with the second-year pro throwing two interceptions, completing 50 percent of his pass attempts and being benched for veteran backup Kirk Cousins.

Atlanta Falcons offense has become too predictable

Hilliard also isn't why the Falcons have arguably the league's most formulaic offense, with 92.9 The Game Atlanta Falcons reporter Joe Patrick sharing some alarming notes about the unit on social media. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson calls passes on 93 percent of the offense's shotgun snaps and rush attempts on 70 percent of plays run from the pistol formation. 

The Falcons also use play-action at the league's fourth-lowest rate, which is borderline criminal with running back Bijan Robinson always a threat. It seems obvious that utilizing Robinson on play-actions could get linebackers to attack the line of scrimmage, allowing Penix to attack downfield. But maybe Robinson knows something we don't.