Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding coaches and/or potential future coaches in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff, and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel or decision-makers unless noted in a direct quote.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The search is on for the Atlanta Falcons' next defensive coordinator after the organization announced it had parted ways with Jimmy Lake over the weekend, along with defensive line coach Jay Rodgers.

The Falcons' next hire at the position will be the organization's fifth defensive coordinator since 2020, when it was actually current head coach Raheem Morris who called plays for the defense. Since then, the Falcons had Dean Pees, Ryan Nielsen and Lake with the call sheet.

As the search begins, below is a short list of five names to consider as the Falcons begin the process of finding their next defensive coordinator.

Steve Wilks

Last stop: Defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers (2023 season)

Resume highlights:

• Carolina Panthers, 2012-17: Wilks held the position of defensive backs coach (2012-14), assistant head coach and defensive backs coach (2015-16) and assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (2017).
• Arizona Cardinals, 2018: Wilks was named head coach in January 2018.
• Carolina Panthers, 2022 (second stint): Wilks began the season as the defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach before spending the final six games of the season as the interim head coach.

Wilks is expected to be a top candidate for many teams in the league looking to fill their defensive coordinator position. Already, there are reports Wilks is interviewing with the Indianapolis Colts. Wilks interviewed for the Falcons head coaching vacancy last offseason prior to Morris landing the job.

The longtime defensive mind has been connected to the Falcons for a while now, having visited practices during training camp. Though he was not working in the league for the 2024 season, Wilks is still a highly respected coach who should receive quite a bit of attention as the coaching carousel moves forward.

Jeff Ulbrich

Last stop: Interim head coach for the New York Jets (2024), previously the defensive coordinator (2021-24)

Resume highlights:

• Atlanta Falcons, 2015-20: Ulbrich held the titles of linebackers coach (2015-19) and co-defensive coordinator (2020).
• New York Jets, 2021-24: Ulbrich was Robert Saleh's defensive coordinator until the head coach was let go early in the 2024 season. Ulbrich has been the Jets interim head coach since. In 2023, his last full year as Jets' defensive coordinator, Ulbrich oversaw a group that finished third in defensive EPA, third in yards allowed per game and tied for seventh in sacks.

Morris and Ulbrich had a solid and respectful working relationship during their time together on Dan Quinn's staff in Atlanta. They worked very closely with one another. Case in point: After Quinn was relieved of his duties and Morris took over as interim head coach and Ulbrich the defensive coordinator, the duo called the games together thereafter, with Ulbrich taking responsibility for early downs while Morris took on the late downs.

Would the Falcons want to run it back with Ulbrich? Feels a bit like repeating history, but things have changed for both men and the organization in the years since, too. Regardless, considering how deep Ulbrich's connection is to the organization and the head man in charge, it should be a considered possibility.

Brandon Staley

Last stop: Currently the assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers (2024)

Resume highlights:

• Chicago Bears (2017-18) and Denver Broncos (2019): Outside linebackers coach
• Los Angeles Rams (2020): Defensive coordinator
• Los Angeles Chargers (2021-2023): Head coach

As the assistant head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at the present moment, it will be interesting to see what other coaching opportunities Staley entertains this offseason as a coordinator position may be considered a lateral move. He has familiarity working with the same defensive schemes Atlanta deployed in 2024, though. The Falcons also already have an assistant head coach. That would be Jerry Gray.

Still, if Staley wants to get back into full-time, play-calling mode, the Falcons could be an intriguing opportunity for the former head coach.

Sean Desai

Last stop: Currently a senior defensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams (2024)

Resume highlights:

• Chicago Bears (2021): Desai got his first nod as a play-caller with the Bears as their defensive coordinator
• Seattle Seahawks (2022): He was the associate head coach and defensive assistant
• Philadelphia Eagles (2023): Defensive coordinator

In each of the last five years of his coaching tenure, Desai hasn't stayed in one place very long, making it difficult to truly judge what his impact could be as a play caller. Though his time as the defensive coordinator for the Eagles didn't end on the right foot, Desai is still someone worth exploring if there has been growth within himself as much as anything.

Everyone also knows how much Morris respects Sean McVay and the way he goes about staff building. Desai has been a part of McVay's defensive staff for the last year. Is Desai someone who could come from a recommendation from McVay?

Robert Saleh

Last stop: Head coach of the New York Jets (2021-2024)

Resume highlights:

• Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16): Linebackers coach
• San Francisco 49ers (2017-20): Saleh got his first opportunity as a full-time play caller with the 49ers as their defensive coordinator
• New York Jets (2021-24): As previously stated, Saleh was the Jets' head coach until he was relieved of his duties only a few weeks into the 2024 season.

It's very possible Saleh is the hottest name on this list. There are more than a few teams that will want Saleh on their staff, and it seems like a forgone conclusion that Saleh will be donning a headset and calling defensive plays for a team in 2025. It's just a matter of who sells him the most on what he'll be working with. Could that be the Falcons? Despite how the 2024 season ended for the unit, there is potential for success in Atlanta. It was seen in spurts after the bye week, highlighted by a league-leading 21 sacks from Weeks 13-17. The key will be about making potential an everyday occurance, and the Falcons need a coach who can bring that out. Can Saleh be the guy? Does he see the potential?

And then there's a sixth option that doesn't involve any new names at all. What if the Falcons didn't backfill the position? Hear me out. They have Morris and Jerry Gray on staff. Morris has been a defensive coordinator for two organizations throughout his two decades coaching in the league, with the Falcons in 2020 and the Los Angeles Rams from 2021-2023. It's been a good chunk of years since Gray has held the title, having done so with the Tennessee Titans from 2011-2013 and the Buffalo Bills from 2001-2005.

There's a lot of knowledge between the two. When entering into a search for the Falcons' next defensive coordinator, they are sure to have a lot of opinions derived from their long histories in the league.

Now, is this realistic to think the Falcons would forgo backfilling this position? Probably not. Morris made it clear in his very first press conference as the Falcons' head coach last January that he wanted to be able to keep a 5,000-foot view of the operation, empowering his coordinators to make decisions about their units. That is likely still the case, but this dynamic is worth mentioning for how much it plays into the decision that is ultimately made.