FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- T.J. Yates, who spent one season as the backup to Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, is returning to the Falcons as the passing game specialist for new head coach Arthur Smith, the team announced Saturday.
The Falcons also hired Lanier Goethie as a defensive assistant and Nick Perry as the assistant defensive backs coach.
The 33-year-old Yates joins the Falcons staff after spending the past two seasons coaching with the Houston Texans. In 2020, he was assistant quarterbacks coach as Deshaun Watson earned his third Pro Bowl selection.