The Falcons have had four defensive coordinators in five seasons, along with a wealth of investment in that side of the ball through free agency, the draft, and trades, yet the unit is still among the worst in football.

Following a lengthy search, the Atlanta Falcons hired Jeff Ulbrich for their defensive coordinator vacancy on Saturday evening. The interim head coach of the New York Jets returns to Atlanta where he spent six seasons as a linebackers coach (2015-2020) and one year as interim defensive coordinator.

The Falcons have a lot to do this offseason. These are the five things that should be at the top of that list.

The San Francisco 49ers have targeted Robert Saleh to return to the team and fill their defensive coordinator vacancy, but his status becomes more in question as the Jacksonville Jaguars have requested a second interview with him.

It is a return to Atlanta for Ulbrich. He was the Falcons’ linebackers coach there from 2015-20, then interim defensive coordinator in 2020 after Dan Quinn was fired as head coach and current Falcons coach Raheem Morris was the interim coach.

The Atlanta Falcons have hired former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator, the team announced Saturday night. The Falcons interviewed seven candidates for the job, but Ulbrich always was considered the favorite because of his relationship with Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.

The Atlanta Falcons are hiring Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per sources informed of the situation. The team announced the hire shortly after the report.

Robert Saleh hired Ulbrich as the Jets’ defensive coordinator in 2021 after he was hired as head coach. Gang Green ranked last in yards and points allowed in Ulbrich’s first year as a full-time defensive play-caller. However, from 2022-23, the Jets finished in the top five in yards allowed under Ulbrich’s leadership.

Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown was passed over for the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator position, with the Falcons instead hiring former New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.

The Atlanta Falcons are in search of a new defensive ... is former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. “It’s very possible Saleh is the hottest name on this list,” McElhaney wrote.

The Atlanta Falcons have hired New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator, the team announced on Saturday. Ulbrich