Steve Sarkisian did not exactly pick up where Kyle Shanahan left off in his first year with the Atlanta Falcons, but the offensive coordinator will have an opportunity to improve in 2018.
On Thursday, Dan Quinn confirmed that Sarkisian will return to the team next season. The Falcons head coach also said no one should be blaming Sarkisian for Atlanta’s shortcomings.
DQ confirms OC Steve Sarkisian will return next season.
“Placing blame on one person would be wrong in this instance… if this was about one person, that decision would’ve already been made.” pic.twitter.com/NiVXYWqYmm
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 18, 2018
There was some talk earlier this month that Sarkisian could leave to work for his former boss, but Quinn was quick to shoot that down.
Matt Ryan was named NFL MVP in 2016 and Atlanta’s offense ranked first in the NFL with 33.8 points per game and second with 415.8 yards per game. This season, the Falcons fell to 15th in the NFL with 22.1 points per game and ranked eighth in total yardage. Some growing pains were expected after Shanahan left to take the head coaching job with the San Francisco 49ers, and judging Sarkisian on one season would be unfair.
