Jerry Gray was frequently mentioned as a candidate for the Falcons’ defensive coordinator opening. An experienced candidate who has twice served as a defensive coordinator and has had multiple stints as a defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, Gray also had ties to Arthur Smith from their shared time in Washington and Tennessee.
All of that experience and that connection didn’t lead to Gray being hired as the defensive coordinator, as that role went to Saints co-defensive coordinator and longtime defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen. But that doesn’t mean that Gray won’t land in Atlanta.