Happy New Year and welcome back to a brand new 2026 edition of Buck’s Beat! The Atlanta Falcons have officially fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot — and Buck Belue says it’s not only justified, it’s overdue. Eight straight losing seasons have pushed Falcons fans to their breaking point, and now the question becomes: Will Arthur Blank finally reset this organization the right way, or is this just another cycle of disappointment? In this episode, Buck lays out a clear, three-step blueprint for fixing the Falcons — starting at the very top. Step 1: Hire Matt Ryan as President of Football Operations. Buck explains why Matt Ryan is the perfect choice to lead the football side of the organization, despite critics pointing to his lack of front office experience. From knowing the right coaching fits, to understanding the roster, to loving the organization and prioritizing winning — Buck makes the case that Ryan gives the Falcons their first true chance at cultural and competitive change. Step 2: Hire a strong, proven general manager. Buck discusses Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham as a top candidate, highlighting his background with winning organizations like the Eagles, Ravens, and Bears — and why pairing him with Ryan could balance football leadership with analytics and roster management. Step 3: Hire the right head coach. Buck breaks down why Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is a strong fit for Atlanta, how his West Coast system with zone runs and play-action fits Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr., and why the Falcons need to act fast before other teams scoop him up. Buck also dives deep into the quarterback debate — defending Michael Penix Jr. as the future of the franchise, pushing back against common criticisms about his accuracy, mobility, and experience, and explaining why the current system has actually limited his performance. Along the way, Buck addresses: The Falcons’ long-standing “dysfunctional” reputation Why proven candidates have avoided Atlanta in the past How a Matt Ryan hire could change league perception instantly The real holes still on the roster and what needs fixing Why this is a true “now or never” moment for the franchise This is Buck’s most direct, passionate, and detailed blueprint yet for how the Falcons can finally stop the cycle of failure and build a winner Atlanta can believe in again. 👇 Let us know in the comments: Do you want Matt Ryan running football ops? Is Michael Penix Jr. the right long-term quarterback? Who would you hire as the next head coach? Thanks for watching Buck’s Beat — and stay tuned for more Falcons and college football coverage all season long. #Falcons #AtlantaFalcons #DirtyBirds #FalconsNation #RiseUp #BuckBelue #BucksBeat #NFLPodcast #NFLTalk #FalconsFootball #MattRyan #MichaelPenixJr #ArthurBlank #NFLCoachingSearch #NFLFrontOffice #BijanRobinson #DrakeLondon #ClintKubiak #IanCunningham #NFLOffseason

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