Falcons Hiring Coach Ryan Nielsen 'Smartest' Offseason Move?
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The Atlanta Falcons have had a big offseason so far, making moves in free agency using part of their $60 million in cap space while also filling coaching staff vacancies.
The offseason has been an eventful one for the Falcons, to say the least, but what was the "smartest" move they've made?
Well, some would say the hiring of defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who is replacing the retired Dean Pees.
"Improving a defense that ranked 27th overall in 2022 could take a lot of pressure off the young signal-caller," Bleacher Report wrote. "And the Falcons made a savvy move this offseason by replacing defensive coordinator Dean Pees with Ryan Nielsen. Nielsen comes from the rival New Orleans Saints, who ranked fifth in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed last season.
"Nielsen, who served as the Saints' defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator last season, knows the division well and how to scheme against NFC South opponents... Falcons fans should be excited to see Nielsen take the reins of the defense. With a stouter unit and a strong running game, Ridder should be able to settle into a game-manager role and grow from there."
Nielsen won't be the only ex-Saint in Atlanta this coming season as the Falcons have used free agency to bring defensive tackle David Oneymata and linebacker Kayden Elliss with Nielsen from New Orleans.
If the Falcons are to make the jump into playoff contention in 2023, a big part of any potential success will be the improvement of the defense in year one under Nielsen.
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