Atlanta Falcons: 5 candidates to replace fired head coach Dan Quinn

Atlanta Falcons Candidate No. 4: Byron Leftwich

A person who has quickly jumped up the coaching ranks since he retired as a player in the NFL has been former quarterback Byron Leftwich. This offseason, he could be somewhat of an under-the-radar hire for a team in the league, and maybe that takes place in Atlanta.

Leftwich is currently the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a position he has held for Tampa Bay since 2019. Before joining the Buccaneers’ coaching staff, Leftwich was with the Arizona Cardinals staff in 2017 and 2018, starting his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach while spending the 2018 campaign as interim offensive coordinator.

Leftwich jumped into coaching following playing with four teams, including Atlanta in 2007, from 2003 through 2012 before his retirement.

As one of the more innovative young offensive minds in the league, this hire by the Falcons would perhaps be viewed as a surprising one, but it could make sense considering his dedication to things on offense which might pair well with the talented Atlanta offensive unit.

Leftwich is also a former quarterback and that could be a nice relationship that builds between him and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan for the rest of Ryan’s career.

Leftwich is very familiar with the NFC South as well, currently leading an offense in Tampa Bay which lies within the same division as Atlanta. Although he is not the most flashy person to hire, the former signal-caller could be on the Falcons radar this offseason.