Falcons stunner sets the stage for this Rams reunion that nobody wants

When the 12-5 Los Angeles Rams lost to the 8-9 Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, the game was a double-whammy to the franchise. Not only did the game chalk up another loss for playoff-bound Los Angeles, but the victory dropped the Falcons' Round 1 draft pick out of the top 10 selections.

Thanks to a 2025 NFL Draft day trade, LA owns that pick.

The win was the third of a four-game winning streak by the Falcons, locking them into a three-team tie that propelled the 8-9 Carolina Panthers as the winner of the NFC South Division. That forced the 8-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Falcons to the outside looking in.

And that was too much for the Atlanta Falcons ownership, who promptly severed ties with general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris.

Fans are brutally aware of Morris, as he was the former defensive coordinator for the team before taking on the head coaching role with the Atlanta Falcons. And with current defensive coordinator Chris Shula's name popping up as a candidate for a head coaching job, Los Angeles may be tempted to rehire Morris as the defensive coordinator once more.

Rams 2026 NFL season just became murkier

Of course, all of this presumes that defensive coordinator Chris Shula will be hired on as a head coach. As the defense regressed dramatically in the latter half of the season, that may no longer be a done deal. Shula has potential, but a number of other coordinators are equally qualified.

And with Detroit Lions former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leading the Chicago Bears to the playoffs, NFL ownership may lean more to the offensive side of the football for head coaching candidates.

Shula may be too unpredictable at this time to warrant the reins of the entire football team. Fans will be happy if that proves to be the case.

Still, Los Angeles has been the incubation chamber for coaching reinforcements for years, thanks to head coach Sean McVay's unparalleled success.

While fans would protest mightily to a reunion with Raheem Morris as the defensive coordinator, he was the guy who contributed mightily to the Super Bowl-winning season in 2021. Not only did he persuade safety Eric Weddle to come out of a two-year retirement to help the secondary, but he also influenced the defense to land veteran outside linebacker Von Miller.

That was the only Super Bowl victory by the Rams in the city of Los Angeles, California.

Still, his defensive philosophy does not align with the fans' mindset. He was willing to release inside linebacker Nate Landman, who has since established himself as the defensive anchor and fan favorite in Los Angeles. He did not have much of a hand in assembling a formidable defensive front and therefore may not truly appreciate what this defense can accomplish.

While there may be a remote chance of a reunion (after all, look at San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's reunion with his former team), doing so would not be to LA's advantage. Morris is available, but he is unlikely to be back in Horns anytime soon.

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