Arthur Smith was fired by the Atlanta Falcons after his team finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs once again. Smith took over as the head man in 2021, and his team went 7-10 and missed the playoffs in all 3 seasons.
The Falcons not only failed to reach the playoffs in each season, but they also appear to have major questions at the quarterback position. Desmond Ridder, the team’s 3rd round pick in 2022, has been benched multiple times in favor of veteran journeyman Taylor Heinicke.
Smith’s offense finished 22nd in passing yards per game, 26th in points per game, and 17th in yards per game in 2023.
Arthur Smith should reunite with an old friend
Typically when a head coach is fired, he will spend a couple of seasons as a coordinator before resurfacing as a head coaching candidate. For Smith, the best landing spot for him may just be somewhere he is extremely familiar with.
Smith was with the Tennessee Titans in various roles from 2011-2020. The coach survived multiple head coaching changes and received rave reviews from players and coaches alike during his tenure in Nashville.
Finally, before the 2019 season, Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator. The Titans went from 25th in yards per game in 2018 to 15th in the category in Smith’s first season. The team also went from 27th in points per game to 8th.
However, 2020 would present an even bigger leap for the Titans’ offense. In 2020, the Smith-led offense finished 4th in points per game, 5th in yards per game, and 2nd in rushing yards per game. This incredible offensive turnaround made Smith a hot commodity after the season, and the Falcons jumped on the opportunity.
Since the divorce of the Titans and Smith, things have not gone well for either side. In 2023, the Titans were 28th in yards per game, 27th in points per game, 29th in passing yards per game, and 17th in rushing yards per game.
The Titans’ issues are not strictly about playcalling. There is a real lack of talent on the roster as currently constructed. However, the team has not been shy about admitting they will continue to be a run-first team, and this is something that Smith is comfortable with. Smith has a close relationship with Mike Vrabel and has a decade of experience in the Music City.
An Arthur Smith-Titans reunion just makes too much sense. If Mike Vrabel sticks around in Nashville, look for Smith to join him.