JUST IN:The Falcons make an unusual decision by bringing a retired defensive tackle back into the team.

Newly appointed head coach Raheem Morris and the Atlanta Falcons are facing a pivotal offseason as they aim to steer the franchise back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Morris, who previously served as a defensive coordinator and interim head coach for the Falcons, was recruited from the Los Angeles Rams following the departure of former head coach Arthur Smith. Smith’s reluctance to utilize the team’s offensive playmakers had drawn criticism from the fanbase on several occasions.

On the defensive side, the Falcons showed promise in the previous season, largely attributed to key free agent signings. However, some argue that their success may have been influenced by the weaker quarterbacks they faced. Despite this, the team is actively seeking to bolster its defense in free agency, recently announcing the signing of defensive tackle Eddie Goldman.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Goldman’s journey with the Falcons has been quite eventful, having initially signed with the team in 2022, retired, returned in 2023, and then retired again before training camp. Now, he’s making another comeback.

Goldman, who played college football at Florida State, made a name for himself primarily with the Chicago Bears before his release in 2022.

As Atlanta navigates through a pivotal offseason, the NFL draft remains a significant focus. In recent years, the team has invested its first-round picks in skill position players like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson. However, these selections were not fully utilized in Arthur Smith’s offensive system, which led to frustrations and ultimately contributed to Smith’s departure. He has since joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as their new offensive coordinator.

Meanwhile, Raheem Morris, known for his role in crafting formidable defenses for the Rams in recent seasons, notably contributed to the team’s Super Bowl victory in the 2021-22 season against the Cincinnati Bengals. With a high selection in this year’s first round of the draft, Atlanta faces a crucial decision.

Many speculate that Alabama defensive standout Dallas Turner could be a potential target for the Falcons, especially considering the tougher competition they’ll face in the upcoming season compared to the previous one.

Regardless, Falcons supporters are pleased to see the team actively bolstering its roster in this year’s free agency period. While Eddie Goldman’s impact at 30 years old remains uncertain, his track record as a dependable player on the defensive line speaks for itself.

The draft is scheduled to occur later this month, adding further anticipation to the offseason proceedings.