We are about one-quarter of the way through the 2026 NFL season - plus the extra 17th game, but now is still the best time for an early quarterly report for how each team is doing.
When it comes to the Atlanta Falcons, it's a tale of two cities kind of dynamic. The first two games of their season were absolutely brutal thanks to the quarterback play they got from Cooper Rush while their other QB options were injured. The last two games the Falcons have had the most-productive offense in the league and they've absolutely destroyed two opponents who were favored going into prime-time matchups.
One of the major takeaways overall is a defense that's performing far better than expected and flying under the radar. The players are ultimately responsible
for the results. However, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has to get a ton of credit for fielding the NFL's best run defense by a wide margin and getting awesome pass-rushing results without his two starting edge rushers or defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand.
It's a long season but if Ulbrich can keep this up he should get head coach buzz going into 2027. Here's ESPN insider Dan Graziano on his prospects.
"Atlanta is a fun story in the early going, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is getting love around the league for the job he's doing with a unit that's short-handed up front. He finished the 2024 season as the Jets' interim head coach. That obviously didn't go well, but Ulbrich is extremely well-liked and respected around the league and could get looks if the Falcons have a big season."
Injuries have not been able to slow this unit down so far, and unless they get absolutely hammered by them in the coming weeks the Falcons will have a chance to finish the season with one of the top defenses in the game.
That will definitely get Ulbrich some consideration from teams looking for a defensive-minded head coach.
If that comes to pass he'll be competing with the likes of Brian Flores, who continues to do great work with the Minnesota Vikings, as well as Anthony Campanile, who has the Jacksonville Jaguars going into Week 5 with the second-best scoring unit in the league. Former NFL head coaches Raheem Morris (49ers) and Dennis Allen (Bears) may also be in the mix.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN: Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich 'could get looks' for head coach job
