Falcons interview 12th head coach candidate
Former Bills offensive coordinator getting interest from Cleveland
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed a dozen candidates for their head coaching vacancy, adding Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to the growing list on Sunday.
The 36-year-old Slowik conducted a virtual interview with the Falcons shortly after Houston’s 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional playoffs on Saturday.
Slowik is considered one of the rising stars of the NFL assistant ranks after overseeing the development of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who led the Texans from a three-win season in 2022 to the AFC South title and a playoff victory over Cleveland.
Prior to joining the Texans, Slowik spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in a variety of roles.
The most prominent candidates interviewed by the Falcons are longtime New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, winner of a record six Super Bowl championships, and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who is eyeing a possible return to the NFL after guiding the Wolverines to a college national title.
Belichick has interviewed twice with the Falcons, and Harbaugh is reportedly scheduled to meet again with Atlanta team officials this week.
The Falcons also have interviewed Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach and interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Ravens assistant head coach and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.
The Falcons are seeking a replacement for Arthur Smith, who was fired after his third consecutive 7-10 season.
SEAHAWKS: According to a report from the NFL Network on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks’ list of prospective head coaches appears to still be long. They were reported to have had virtual interviews this week with eight current NFL assistants.
And according to the NFL Network report, the Seahawks plan to have second interviews this week with at least five of those eight — Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
The report implied some of the others reported to be on the Seahawks’ list could also be in for second interviews saying, “there likely will be others, too’’ and that they are conducting “a thorough process.’’
The other three coaches reported as having virtual interviews this week with the Seahawks were Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Houston offensive coordinator Slowik.
Slowik was reported to be have his first interview Sunday, possibly one reason he wouldn’t have been listed yet as having a second interview planned. Likewise, Johnson’s interview was reported to be Saturday, possibly also not leaving time yet to have set a second interview. Smith was reported to have interviewed Thursday.
Interestingly, one coach yet to be reported to have had an interview with the Seahawks — or to be scheduled for one — is former Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel, considered a favorite for the job by some observers.
An ESPN report on Thursday stated that the Seahawks “are interested in talking and meeting with Vrabel.’’
As of Sunday afternoon, there had been no additional reports of a specific interview for the Seahawks — either in person or virtual — with Vrabel.
BROWNS: The Cleveland Browns may bring back one of their many former starting quarterbacks to oversee their offense.
The team interviewed Ken Dorsey to be their coordinator on Friday, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Dorsey, who was fired by Buffalo earlier this season, is the second candidate to speak with Cleveland, which will conduct more interviews, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Browns are not publicly disclosing interviews.
The Browns have also scheduled a meeting with Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Johnson for the OC position, the person said. Johnson spent this past season helping develop rookie C.J. Stroud, who threw three touchdowns passes in Houston’s 45-14 playoff win over Cleveland.
CBSsports.com was first to report the meeting with Dorsey.
ESPN.com first reported the interview with Johnson.
Dorsey played with the Browns from 2006-08 and is one of 37 QBs to start for Cleveland since its expansion reboot in 1999. Dorsey went 0-3 as a starter in 2008. He previously played for San Francisco.
The 42-year-old Dorsey was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator before being let go by Bills coach Sean McDermott in November. The Bills are hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC playoff game Sunday, with the winner playing Baltimore for the conference championship.
Cleveland’s offensive coordinator spot opened earlier this week with the surprising departure of Alex Van Pelt, who had been on coach Kevin Stefanski’s staff since 2020.
Van Pelt was let go along with running backs coach Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney just days after the Browns were clobbered by the Texans.
Last week, the team interviewed Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson for the offensive coordinator opening. Dickerson was an assistant coach with Cleveland under Eric Mangini in 2009-10. He spent the past three seasons on Pete Carroll’s staff with the Seahawks.
This season at Houston, Johnson helped Stroud quickly become one of the NFL’s best passers in his first season. The No. 2 overall pick in the draft threw for 4,108 yards with 23 TDs and just five interceptions during the regular season.