By: Senior NFL Insider | January 5, 2026

CHARLOTTE, NC – In a development that has stunned the NFC South and added a fascinating wrinkle to the early offseason coaching carousel, Raheem Morris is reportedly closing in on a swift and controversial return to the division—this time, on the opposite sideline.

Less than 24 hours after his dismissal as Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons following a disappointing 2025 campaign, emerging sources around the league indicate that Morris has expressed serious interest in the Defensive Coordinator vacancy with the Carolina Panthers. Perhaps even more significantly, sources confirm that the interest is mutual, with the Panthers organization viewing Morris not as a castoff rival, but as the perfect veteran architect to stabilize their defense.

While no official announcement has been made by either camp, the traction surrounding this move suggests a potential marriage of necessity and opportunity that could reshape the competitive balance of the division.

The “Reset” Strategy

For Morris, the move represents a calculated step back—a strategic “reset” that has become an increasingly popular pathway for talented coaches whose head coaching tenures hit turbulence.

According to those close to the situation, Morris views a return to a coordinator role as an opportunity to get back to what he does best: coaching football. The head coaching chair comes with administrative burdens, media obligations, and roster management pressures that often pull a coach away from the tactical minutiae of the game.

“Raheem is a ball coach, first and foremost,” said one league insider familiar with Morris’s thinking. “The last two years in Atlanta were draining. He had to be the CEO, the face of the franchise, and the politician. He wants to get back in the lab. He wants to be in the defensive meeting room, drawing up pressures, mentoring young DBs, and just focusing on stopping offenses without the weight of the entire organization on his back.”

This path is well-trodden ground in the NFL. One needs only to look at the careers of Dan Quinn, Steve Spagnuolo, and Brian Flores to see how a return to a coordinator post can rehabilitate a reputation and lead to massive success. For Morris, Carolina offers a blank canvas to prove his defensive genius remains elite, unburdened by the win-loss record of a head coach.

A Perfect Fit for Carolina?

From the Panthers’ perspective, the potential hiring of Morris would be a coup. Head Coach Dave Canales, an offensive-minded leader focused on the development of quarterback Bryce Young, would benefit immensely from having a former head coach managing the other side of the ball.

The “CEO Head Coach + Former Head Coach as Coordinator” model is a proven formula for stability. It allows Canales to pour his energy into the offense, knowing that the defense is in the hands of a man who has sat in the big chair and understands the nuances of game management.

“You look at what Raheem brings—energy, schematic flexibility, and an incredible ability to connect with players,” a Panthers team source noted. “We have a young defense. We have pieces that need molding. Raheem isn’t just a play-caller; he’s a teacher. And right now, that is exactly what this locker room needs.”

Morris’s track record as a defensive coordinator is stellar. His tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, which culminated in a Super Bowl victory, showcased his ability to adapt his scheme to his personnel, maximizing star talent while hiding deficiencies. The Panthers, who struggled with consistency and pass rush in 2025, are in desperate need of that kind of tactical ingenuity.

The NFC South Factor

There is also the undeniable strategic advantage of keeping Morris within the division.

Having spent the last two seasons as the Falcons’ head coach, and previously serving time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the NFC South. He knows the personnel of the Falcons intimately—their strengths, their weaknesses, and their audibles. He knows the Saints’ tendencies. He knows the Buccaneers’ protection schemes.

Hiring Morris isn’t just about improving the Panthers’ defense; it’s about acquiring a wealth of intelligence on their three biggest rivals. In a division that is often decided by one or two games, that intellectual property is invaluable.

“If you’re Carolina, you’re not just hiring a DC,” an NFL scout analyzed. “You’re hiring the guy who built the team you have to beat twice a year. He knows which offensive linemen can’t handle a speed rush. He knows which receivers don’t like to block. That’s a competitive edge you can’t buy on the free agent market.”

A Shift in Perception

Of course, the move would not be without its awkwardness. Morris would be trading the black and red of Atlanta for the process blue of Carolina, moving from a role where he was the boss to a role where he is a lieutenant.

However, the modern NFL is a fluid ecosystem. Loyalty is to the craft, not the jersey. If Morris can turn the Panthers’ defense into a top-10 unit, the narrative of his exit from Atlanta will be rewritten. He won’t be the failed Falcons coach; he will be the elite coordinator who sparked Carolina’s resurgence.

As the Panthers look to turn the page on a heartbreaking 2025 season—capped by close losses and moral victories—the addition of Raheem Morris would send a clear signal: the rebuilding phase is over. They are acquiring proven commodities.

For Morris, the goal is simple. Silence the critics. Shut down offenses. And perhaps, when the Falcons come to Charlotte next season, remind them exactly what they let go.

The deal isn’t done yet, but the smoke is billowing. And in the NFL, where there is smoke, there is usually a defensive coordinator drawing up a blitz package.