Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees announces retirement

After two seasons as the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator, Dean Pees has officially announced that he will go enjoy retirement for a third time.

As they say, the third time’s a charm, so don’t be surprised if this is actually the end of Pees’ coaching career which has spanned nearly five decades in the college ranks and NFL. This, of course, means Atlanta will be searching for yet another defensive coordinator.

Atlanta Falcons will search for a new DC after Dean Pees’ retirement

Arthur Smith spent a lot of time in Tennessee with the Titans, who in 2018 were able to draw Dean Pees out of retirement. Those two got acquainted and Pees ended up retiring following the 2019 season but Arthur Smith was able to draw him out of retirement after Arthur was hired as the Falcons’ head coach in 2021.

Pees stated that he came out of retirement for a second time because he had a lot of respect for Arthur Smith and wanted to work with him. It only lasted two seasons as he has now decided to retire.

Many will not give the veteran coach much credit but he really did do a solid job this year.

The Falcons ranked 30th in 2021 in points allowed but managed to improve to 23rd this season. A respectable jump for a team that was devoid of talent, who were missing Casey Hayward and even A.J. Terrell for some time, and had two young safeties on the back end.

Not to mention, his starting pass rushers were Ade Ogundeji and Lorenzo Carter who should be nothing more than rotational pieces. They ranked 32nd—by a WIDE margin—in total sacks in 2021 and then ranked 31st during their season that just ended. Ranking 23rd in points allowed when your pass rushers cannot generate more than 21 sacks in 17 games is impressive.

Also Read: No matter what anyone says, the Falcons DID beat Tom Brady.

Whoever the Falcons’ next defensive coordinator is will need to fix this pass rusher, first and foremost, that is the key to getting this defense to a respectable level. It will be interesting to see if they make an outside hire or promote from within.