The Atlanta Falcons’ head-coaching search has started to heat up over the last few days. After interviewing former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on Monday, the team met with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh on Tuesday.
Both are men of great stature in the coaching community and if either lands the job in Atlanta, they would likely make some big changes to the coaching staff. This could be why the Falcons finally decided to let defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen take an interview with another team.
Atlanta had previously blocked Nielsen and special teams coordinator Marquice Williams from taking any interviews, but that changed on Tuesday night.
Nielsen to interview with Jaguars, per The Athletic's Bruce Feldman
SOURCE: Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is expected to interview for the Jaguars DC job. Nielsen made a big impact in his 1st season, improving the Falcons from 26th to 7th in YPP allowed; from 31st in the NFL to 3rd in 3rd down D; and from 25th to 8th in pass defense.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 17, 2024
ESPN's Michael Rothstein on possible reason for change
Hi TD. It could be for a few different reasons. Could be potential candidates offered intriguing DC options. Or the candidates they like want to run a different scheme than Nielsen does. Or maybe they just want to give him a chance to get a job. Or something I’m not thinking of
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 17, 2024
Yes that is all part of this, too — or at least identifying their Top 2 or 3 potential choices
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 17, 2024
Falcons fans on Twitter react
This means they know that their next HC is going to want his own staff. Who will that be? I’m almost afraid to find out lol https://t.co/ZJXSn3eQI7
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) January 17, 2024
Can't deny the impact he made in just one year… https://t.co/SfuxP3vErQ
— Jarvis Davis (@JarvisD90) January 17, 2024
When Will Levis, Josh Dobbs, Kyler Murray and Derek Carr look like first ballot HOF’s vs your defense, I mean…. https://t.co/UnayAcRbcX
— Josh (@onlyonejj22) January 17, 2024
The timing on this in interesting. Are we close to a HC hire? https://t.co/eNpKwJwOr3
— Atlanta Falcons (@DirtyBirdz_11) January 17, 2024
https://t.co/4zFzyzhI8S pic.twitter.com/Y2sQp5gI1W
— The(Isaac)EliasSportsBureau (@IE_SportsBureau) January 17, 2024
#Falcons were blocking interviews for both Nielsen and Marquice Williams…now it appears they are not https://t.co/X0rmJeqPGG
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 17, 2024
We better not lose Nielsen smh. #Falcons https://t.co/qLxrCQV7V8
— Yuriy Andriyashchuk🇺🇦 (@YuriyATL) January 17, 2024
Interesting timing that he's now no longer blocked from interviewing https://t.co/94zGVMRtHr
— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) January 17, 2024
So much for us blocking interviews…
Something has clearly shifted. https://t.co/R5hQQTcIcS
— ATL Falcons UK 🇬🇧 (@ATLFalconsUK) January 17, 2024
Damn, so they are not blocking him. That’s interesting as hell. https://t.co/DmMz2KHrQU
— 𝑆𝐻𝐼𝑁𝐸 (@xSHINExDBN) January 17, 2024
I don’t want to lose Nielsen!! I know the new HC picks their guys but he can pick his OC. Can’t they make an exception for Nielsen after what he did with our defense in just one season?! 😔 https://t.co/U6Ie0SQt7E
— Carrie (@carrielynnxox) January 17, 2024
Wild. This tells me they have their guy and Nielson’s scheme doesn’t fit cuz no way allow him to walk after what he did for the defense https://t.co/9O55URtxE5
— Rashad (@HuggyBear_90) January 17, 2024
Losing my goat😔💔 https://t.co/yTM1gwTLUU pic.twitter.com/yuwgHvYMhE
— 𝓕 🪄 (@Fiizop) January 17, 2024
If this means we get, Jim Harbaugh then ok Nielsen was good on the developing the Dline but he also had help with Jerry Gray I guess he ain’t getting no credit huh 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/OBisTxqzr8
— King_Ro (@Ro_Stackson) January 17, 2024
I may call out sick from work🤮 https://t.co/wl0pPZlaXB
— BERTO🇵🇷(95 NORTH FALCONS TALK SHOW) (@RIFalcons) January 17, 2024
Oh no 😔
Given that they were blocking interviews for Nielsen a few days ago, does this mean the Falcons are close to a HC hire? One that wants their own DC? https://t.co/mYzEiZtEdG
— Russell Irving (@RGInteger) January 17, 2024
Falcons Twitter reacts to Bill Belichick interviewing in Atlanta https://t.co/6XDxlXDkgc pic.twitter.com/cNUhMmqQUN
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) January 16, 2024
