Questions continue to swirl regarding the fate of head coaches around the NFC South. In Atlanta’s case, Arthur Smith‘s job security has appeared to change on a number of occasions recently. 
The third-year head coach was first thought to be on the hot seat in November, due in large part to the team’s offensive struggles. Multiple quarterback changes have taken place this year, and 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder has not managed to establish himself as a starting-caliber option. In spite of that, a report from last month pointed to Smith being retained for at least one more year.
The Falcons went 7-10 in each of his first two campaigns, and he is on the verge of posting an identical mark in 2023. Atlanta finishes the regular season schedule against New Orleans, the other team with a chance of surpassing the Buccaneers for top spot in the NFC South. Tampa Bay would be required to lose to Carolina for that to be possible, however, and the Falcons cannot claim a wild-card berth.
With Atlanta’s playoff drought likely to extend to seven years, owner Arthur Blank has declined to offer a public commitment for or against retaining Smith. The latter’s job status will likely be influenced by the way in which the Falcons finish the year, but some around the league feel his fate is already sealed. Two general managers told Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post Smith will be fired after the end of the current season.
Three head coaches were let go midseason, and a number of other dismissals are likely to take place on or around Black Monday. It would come as little surprise if Smith were to be let go; the Falcons’ offense has been a sore spot despite a strong offensive line and a sustained investment of draft capital at the skill positions. The team used its top pick on tight end Kyle Pitts in 2021, followed by wideout Drake London in 2022 and running back Bijan Robinson in 2023.
Owing in large part to sub-par play under center, the Falcons rank 26th in the league in scoring (19 points per game). That will no doubt lead to a quarterback pursuit in the offseason, but it could very well prompt a new face being brought in on the sidelines as well. Smith will have at least one more opportunity to stake his claim to the 2024 position on Sunday when the regular season wraps up.
To be fair, Arthur is further along in Atlanta rebuild than Bill B is and has done in less time.
Nope. BB made the playoffs the year after Brady left. Smith hasn’t in that same time period.
Arthur is 21-29 since taking over and Bill is 22-28 over that same time period. And Bill’s team lost more games each season.
’21- 7
’22- 9
’23- 12
Arthur has out coached Bill. The stats says so.
I agree with Motown, Patriots making the playoffs with Mack Jones, makes BB more successful in the last 3 years. Arthur Smith is capped at 7 wins and no playoffs. Patriots having a terrible year gives them the leg up on draft picks this year as well….nothing worse than a team stuck in neutral which is exactly where the Falcons are right now.
Smith is fortunate that Tampa Bay had a derp game vs. New Orleans in Week 17. Another derp game by the Buccaneers means the winner of Falcons-Saints would poach the NFC South title and with it a home playoff game vs. Dallas or (more likely) Philadelphia.
Trade for Fields or trade up and draft Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams and watch Arthur go from lame duck to duck hunter in one season.. that defense is awesome and the offense is QB away from playing winning football every week
Defense has given up final winning drives after final winning drives against bad teams. I know it’s beating a dead horse but he doesn’t feature his best players every single week. QB is a problem in addition to Smith….Smith’s over performed with less talent but has under performed with better talent, sounds like a coaching problem.
How many QBs call plays? Smith has wasted Pitts, London, & Robinson by not utilizing them anywhere close to properly; their development has been stunted … at best deferred until he’s gone.
I’ve been banging the table for ATL to NOT “trade up” but “trade for” a QB: Murray or Fields … AFTER they jettison Smith. Hell, sign Cousins because his mastery of Play Action would be a 180 degree flip for the Offense.
If ATL could manage to hold on to their 1st Round pick in a trade for Murray or Fields, they’d be able to draft either a solid Tackle or a WR compliment to London giving them 3 1st Round receivers to go with Robinson & Altiers’ “Thunder & Lightening” backfield
… but not even that perfect storm pipe dream scenario would mean anything under Smith.
He’s stubbornly archaic and, again, a waste to the young elite talent ATL has on Offense. Each time Robinson and Pitts takes a hit is a bite out the longevity of their career; just like every other NFL player. The inexcusable reality is it’s been for nothing. Sure they compete for a playoff spot but won’t go far once there because of Smith’s predictable & crap coaching.
Just my 2¢
He needs to go now
Smith needs to be fired the day after the final regular season game.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, most of the QBs available in this upcoming draft do not appeal to me. At least not some of the names being thrown around often.
I do not believe in Justin fields either. The grass field in Chicago is so trashed it makes playing D almost impossible. The recent flash he’s shown is not indicative of who he really is in my opinion. He couldn’t hit anyone not named DJ Moore.
Actually, the field in Chicago was completely redone before the season and the Bear’s players are quoted as saying how much better it is this year.
Don’t forget in addition to the field, they also replaced lawn mowers, gators and $100k of equipment this year too.
Have an interim coach for a playoff game should Atlanta poach the NFC South. PFR Logic strikes again!