Josh Woods and Liam McCullough spoke during open locker room the morning after the news.

Terrin Waack

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The morning after the Atlanta Falcons decided topart ways with Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot, the former head coach and general manager held one final team meeting at the practice facility.

Only Morris and Fontenot spoke, according to inside linebacker Josh Woods and long snapper Liam McCullough, who addressed the media Monday during the Falcons' final 45-minute open locker room period.

"It was hard for a lot of guys," McCullough said. "They're great people. They have a massive amount of respect with the guys on the team. So, there were tears that were shed players, coaches; Rah and Terry as well. Just hearing their message to the players, we wish them the best."

Their message?

"Both just kind of gave their spiel and said their goodbyes and wished everybody well," Woods said. "Let everybody know that they were proud of the way that we finished, especially after being eliminated. Really showed what this team was about. Ultimately, didn't get it done."

The Falcons started their season 3-2 but then dropped seven of the next eight games to put them at 4-9 overall. They were officially eliminated from the playoffs after theirWeek 14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. From then on, however, the Falcons won their remaining four consecutive games to close out the schedule on a winning streak.

Atlanta finished 8-9 this year. OwnerArthur Blank announced his decisionregarding Morris and Fontenot hours after theFalcons won Sundays regular-season finaleagainst the New Orleans Saints.

"Ending the season on the four-game win streak that we did and righting a couple wrongs that everybody was talking about, I was hoping that it didn't go that way," Woods said. "Obviously, that's the nature of the business that we're in. We're here to win, and we haven't been. So, I understand."

Morris took over the Falcons in 2024, compiling a 16-18 record in his two seasons.

Fontenot had been with Atlanta since 2021 and saw through a 37-48 record in five seasons.

"Anytime that you have regime changes and there's a lot of stuff up in the air free agency, guys coming in, guys leaving, staff, players, whatever it may be it definitely brings guys together," McCullough said. "There's a lot of uncertainly whether you're under contract or not, so it brings guys together. You lean on your brothers, you lean on your teammates, you lean on the support staff. Just like you lean on them during the season and in the offseason.

"I definitely think that we have a great culture, and a lot of that is thanks to Terry and Rah. There's a great mindset going into this offseason and going into next season."

The Falcons' offense ranked 14th in yards per game and 24th in points per game in 2025. The unit was eighth in rushing yards and 19th in passing yards.

Running back Bijan Robinson totaled the most yards from scrimmage with 2,298, which doubled asa single-season franchise recordin Atlanta.

The Falcons' defense, meanwhile, ranked 15th in yards allowed per game and 19th in points allowed per game. It was 13th in passing yards allowed and 24th in rushing yards allowed.

Atlanta'ssingle-season franchise record of 57 sackswere second most in the league, a vast improvement from the 31 in 2024 that ranked second to last. First-round draft picks and edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker led their rookie class with 10.5 and 5.5 sacks, respectively.

"The talent is here," Woods said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to put it all together week-in and week-out. But the talent is here. If you don't see that, I don't think you know ball."a

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