The Atlanta Falcons are looking for a defensive coordinator
The Atlanta Falcons are reaching out to find their next defensive coordinator. Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees is retiring from the position after two seasons. According to Matt Urben with USA Today, the Falcons plan to take their time before they hire their next defensive coordinator. They want to look at many candidates. One of those candidates is reportedly a Packers coach.
According to Benjamin Allbright with the KOA Colorado, the Falcons have requested an interview with Jerry Gray. Gray currently serves as the Packers’ defensive backs and passing game coordinator on defense.
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/1614329291311026177
Gray has been an assistant coach in the NFL for nearly two-and-a-half decades. He started his NFL coaching career in 1997 with the Tennessee Oilers. Gray served as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator from the 2001-05 seasons. He’s been with the Packers since the 2020 season.
While defensive coordinator Joe Barry and the secondary have received plenty of criticism from Packers fans this past season, the passing defense performed relatively well statistically. Many fans were unhappy with the constant use of zone coverage with a talented secondary group that included All-Pro Jaire Alexander.
However, the Packers defense gave up the sixth-least passing yards in the league during the 2022 regular season. Part of that credit has to go to Gray. We’ll see what the Atlanta Falcons think of Gray’s defensive expertise after his interview/