Life has been difficult for the Atlanta Falcons. They haven’t made the playoffs and posted a losing record in each of the past seven seasons. Their big free agent signing from last spring is about to be released. They’re currently $11.1 million over the salary cap and don’t have the financial means to improve the roster ,and they seem to be a .500-team at best even in the wide-open NFC South.
With everything going on, it wouldn’t be a surprise if anyone wanted to leave – especially if it was a promotion from their current role. But in the case of one of Raheem Morris’s assistants, he turned down the chance to get a promotion with a divisional rival to stay with the Falcons next season.
Falcons TEs coach Kevin Koger declined a request from the Saints to interview for their vacant OC position, source tells @NFLonCBS. Koger interviewed for the Cowboys and Browns OC positions, and he passes on the division rival.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 14, 2025
Falcons Tight Ends Coach Kevin Koger Declines Potential Promotion With Saints
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Falcons tight end coach Kevin Koger has declined a request to join Kellen Moore’s staff with the New Orleans Saints. Developments are typical during the coaching cycle, but this was noteworthy considering he would have been interviewing for the team’s offensive coordinator position.
It’s also notable that Koger has already interviewed for two offensive coordinator positions this offseason, including the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys hired Klayton Adams to fill their role while the Browns decided on Tommy Rees, meaning the Saints were Koger’s last opportunity for an offensive coordinator job this coaching cycle.
The decision could have several parts. In the minds of Falcons fans, they probably assume Koger bleeds red and black and wants to continue to be part of Morris’s staff next season. On the other hand, the Saints are in an even worse position with the salary cap, sitting $54.1 million over the cap to begin the offseason.
With a team that’s even more restrained by the salary cap, it’s probably why Koger decided to stay in his current role and look for a better one heading into next season.
For that to happen, Koger needs the Falcons to take off under Michael Penix Jr. and also guide a unit that may be without Kyle Pitts next season. If that happens, Koger could find a better opportunity and still give Falcons fans a chance to laugh about the Saints.