The Atlanta Falcons’ pass rush had two very different halves of the season, but neither will change how the team plans to approach the position in the offseason.
Through the first 11 games, Atlanta had only 10 sacks, which was the worst in the NFL. However, after their Week 12 bye, the Falcons recorded 21 sacks, which was the second most in the league. They finished the season with 31 sacks, ranking second-to-last in the NFL, but with more hope and satisfaction than before.
Despite this improvement, the Falcons still plan to add to their pass rush, head coach Raheem Morris said during his end-of-season press conference. He emphasized the importance the organization places on this area.
“You never say it’s not going to be an offseason priority, just for the philosophy of the organization that starts up front,” Morris said. “You can be No. 1 in sacks or last, that’s still going to be a priority. If you can get after the quarterback, you can play really good defense, and that’s always going to be a priority for us.”
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot was happy with the team’s pass rush after the bye week. He pointed to the improved performance of outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, who had five sacks in the last six games, ranking fifth in the NFL. Inside linebacker Kaden Elliss also led the NFL in pass rush success rate.
Ebiketie led the team with six sacks, while outside linebacker Matthew Judon had 5.5 sacks. Elliss recorded five sacks and led the team with 16 quarterback hits. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had 2.5 sacks but also had 12 quarterback hits, which tied with Ebiketie for the second-most on the team.
Judon is set to be a free agent, but Ebiketie, Elliss, Jarrett, and several other players will return for the Falcons’ front seven.
Fontenot is happy with the group but, like Morris, believes the team needs more.
“We have pressure players,” Fontenot said Thursday. “We have to add to that. We showed ability, we showed improvement in that area, but that definitely needs to be an area that we continue to improve.”
The Falcons may look for improvement through their game plans. Morris didn’t commit to defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake’s future, saying the team is currently evaluating everyone from players to coaches. Fontenot gave a similar response when asked about possible staff changes.
Regardless of who coaches the defense or the pass rushers, Fontenot said the team’s growth starts from within, and that process begins this week as Atlanta’s front office and coaching staff evaluate every position.
“Part of it is we have to develop players in the building,” Fontenot said. “We have to make sure we’re doing that. So every player, we’re getting the best version [and] they can get the best version of themselves. So, we have to develop in the building.”
“And then we’ll have to look outside and look at the areas we do have to enhance. Whether it’s free agency, the draft, we have to find those ways to continue to build that team to be more consistent.”
Morris added that the Falcons will sit down and look at different ways to get more pass rushers and be creative in the process, hoping to have a season like the final six weeks of 2024.
“The better you can make those moments, the better you can make those things,” Morris said, “the better you can be.”
