The Falcons recently moved on from defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after one season with the team. Atlanta’s search for his replacement continues to expand. 
Atlanta interviewed Jeff Ulbrich for the DC position on Wednesday, per a team announcement. The Jets’ interim head coach interviewed for the team’s full-time gig earlier this week, but he has not garnered attention this year for any of the other vacancies. Ulbrich’s experience at the coordinator level makes him an interesting candidate for this year’s hiring cycle, though.
The 47-year-old’s coaching tenure began in 2010, and after three seasons at UCLA he returned to the pro level. Ulbrich joined the Falcons’ staff in 2015 as their linebackers coach, continuing in that role for five years. In 2020, he had assistant head coach added to his title and also closed out the campaign as interim defensive coordinator. That was the year in which then-DC Raheem Morris was promoted to interim head coach following Dan Quinn‘s dismissal.
As a result, another Falcons opportunity would represent not only a reunion for Ulbrich but a chance to once again work under Morris. The latter’s first season as Atlanta’s head coach did not go according to plan, in no small part due to a stretch of underwhelming quarterback play from veteran QB Kirk Cousins. While Atlanta has a succession plan in the form of Michael Penix Jr., improvement on defense will be a goal for 2025. The Falcons ranked 23rd in points and yards allowed, a key factor in the team’s inability to reach the postseason. Ulbrich has overseen the Jets’ defense since 2021, a unit which posted mix results over that span (including poor outings once he took over from Robert Saleh midway through the past season).
Atlanta has an interview lined up with former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo, and yesterday the team met with ex-Ravens and Giants D-coordinator Don Martindale. Both staffers are on the Colts’ radar, but that is not the case (for now, at least) with respect to Steve Wilks. The veteran coach is also on Atlanta’s interview list, one which has another experienced name on it in the form of Ulbrich.
This seems like a logical landing spot for Brick to escape from NY.