Rapoport noted that defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel is as well.
After finishing No. 1 in scoring in 2016 under ex-coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the Falcons fell to No. 15 in 2017 with Sarkisian calling plays. Atlanta improved to No. 11 in 2018, but a struggling ground game and red-zone woes marred the attack. The 6-9 Falcons will miss the playoffs after they made the Super Bowl in 2016 and reached the divisional round last season.
Rapoport reported that ex-Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who was on the same 'Hawks staff as current Falcons head coach Dan Quinn when the latter was a Seattle defensive coordinator, could take the job.
In fairness to Sarkisian, he's not the No. 1 reason the Falcons missed the playoffs. Atlanta had horrible luck with injuries, as safeties Keanu Neal (torn ACL) and Ricardo Allen (torn Achilles) suffered season-ending ailments in September. Linebacker Deion Jones missed 10 games.
After allowing the eighth-fewest points per contest in 2017, the Falcons fell to No. 25 in scoring defense this year.
On offense, running back Devonta Freeman suffered a season-ending groin injury and played in just two games. Offensive guard Andy Levitre (triceps) played just twice as well.
Still, the Falcons may be forced to do something after the team's drop from near-Super Bowl champion to potential last-place finisher in 2018. Quinn isn't going anywhere after he nearly won a title in 2016, and the franchise quarterback (Matt Ryan) and superstar wideout (Julio Jones) aren't headed out either.
Ultimately, Sarkisian may be the fall guy. While his tenure in Atlanta did not go well, he's only 44 years old and has accumulated plenty of experience on the college and pro levels. If the Falcons fire him, he shouldn't be out of work for long.
