Falcons add another candidate to their defensive coordinator search

The Falcons are in the middle of finding a new defensive coordinator to replace Jimmy Lake, who spent just one season with the team. Five names have been linked to the job, and another has just been added to the list. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Atlanta is conducting an interview today with Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown.

Brown’s another candidate with a wealth of experience. He’s coached defense for over two decades, primarily defensive backs. Most of that experience came at the collegiate level, where he spent time at South Carolina, Louisville, and Houston, among others. In 2021, Gray received his first opportunity at the pro ranks, getting the call from the Steelers, where he’s spent the last four seasons.

Over his time in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have not finished outside the top 12 in total defense. However, they weren’t necessarily great against the pass this season, giving up 228 yards per game, which ranked 25th in the league. That’s right around where they’ve been in each season under Grady Brown, outside of the 2021 campaign, when they were a top ten defense in passing yards allowed. Ironically, the Falcons were right around the same under Lake this season.

Of course, judging a secondary coach strictly based on how many passing yards his defense allows isn’t a perfect barometer of his effectiveness. What’s more interesting is this is yet another coordinator without any experience calling plays at the NFL level. Yesterday, the Falcons interviewed Green Bay passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley for the position. Perhaps the Falcons are simply checking all of the boxes, but it does make you wonder if there’s a possibility that Raheem Morris shoulders more of the load next season and starts calling the defensive plays.