The Atlanta Falcons have zeroed in on a new head coach and are patient enough to wait for him to become available.
The Falcons announced Dan Quinn as their new head coach on Monday. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier on Monday that an agreement for a five-year deal had been reached in principle.
Rapoport also reported that Kyle Shanahan will join Quinn as the Falcons' offensive coordinator and run an attack loaded with a talented franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan and dominant wide receiver in Julio Jones. Quinn will add Richard Smith as Atlanta's defensive coordinator.
Seattle, meanwhile, is expected to replace Quinn at defensive coordinator with defensive backs coach Kris Richard, Rapoport reported.
Arthur Blank naming Quinn as his new coach has been the worst-kept secret in the NFL the past two weeks.
Quinn helped form and lead one of the greatest defenses of the modern era in Seattle after taking over when Gus Bradley departed for Jacksonville.
Following the Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots, Quinn is free to move on to his next challenge.
During Super Bowl week, Seahawks defensive players gushed about Quinn's ability as a schemer and play-caller. Linebacker K.J. Wright described Quinn as a "defensive mastermind."
Defensive end Michael Bennett told Around The NFL's Chris Wesseling that Quinn would make a successful head coach because, "he likes to drop his, uh, lower extremities during big games."
The Falcons' defense needs a lot of juice, especially up front where Atlanta's pass rush was one of the worst in the NFL under the Mike Smith regime. While Quinn won't have nearly the pieces to play with that he enjoyed in Seattle, defensive backs Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford provide a tangible base.
With a ready-made offense, a few added pieces on defense and Quinn's penchant for "lower extremity" dropping, the Falcons should be in for a quick turnaround after a disappointing 6-10 season.
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