The Atlanta Falcons have had many issues with head coaches throughout recent history. Since losing the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots after having a 28-3 lead, it seems the team cannot get into the groove they were in once before. This season, current head coach Arthur Smith is changing the culture in Atlanta and has his team right in the playoff mix. However, the team still does not have a winning record, which has led to criticism about Smith not being the guy for the team. An ESPN analyst revealed what the Falcons intend to do with their head coach come next season.
#Falcons head coach Arthur Smith appears likely to keep his job for 2024 barring a major “late-season collapse”, @JFowlerESPN said after speaking with multiple people.
“The sense I get after asking around is that Arthur Smith is safe in Atlanta, barring a late-season collapse.”… pic.twitter.com/o0dAAIRsQ2
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 13, 2023
Atlanta Falcons Plan For Smith’s Return In 2024
The team is planning to bring back Smith in 2024, which has led to controversy from fans and analysts. The Falcons have had an inconsistent season this year, but remain very alive in the playoff hunt as the 2023 season winds down. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Smith’s job is safe barring a late-season collapse, which many fans disagree with.
As expected and all but confirmed by @JFowlerESPN's reporting, #Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's job is safe heading into 2024 "barring a late-season collapse".
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) December 13, 2023
My Fire Arthur Smith petition is still up. #Falcons #DirtyBirdshttps://t.co/PB2XxePa6M
— Yuriy Andriyashchuk🇺🇦 (@YuriyATL) December 10, 2023
Me when the Falcons finally fire Arthur Smith pic.twitter.com/1fXgt8Lhzd
— Brother Moon 🌙 (@SoulProphet616) December 10, 2023
The off-season plan is simple.
1. Fire Arthur Smith
2. Replace him with either Joe Brady or Ben Johnson
3. Trade up for Daniels. pic.twitter.com/eG5uifMFrq— The Falcons Nest Podcast (@TheNestPodcast_) December 10, 2023
If it’s Sunday, it’s
FIRE ARTHUR SMITH DayDraft #JaydenDaniels #FireArthurSmith #DirtyBirds #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/0EuTHUlojM
— FrustratedFalconsFan (@FrustratedATL) December 10, 2023
Arthur Smith’s Job Security
Many fans have been calling for the firing of Smith since early on in his stint with the team due to the inconsistency they have shown against their opponents. Smith took over as the head coach before the 2021 season and has not been able to get Atlanta a winning season. Before coming to the Falcons, Smith spent 10 seasons with the Tennessee Titans and had multiple coaching positions with the team. Since coming to Atlanta, Smith has taken the team to a 20-26 overall record, which is a big reason fans have wanted him gone for so long.
Atlanta has not made the postseason under Smith, and while there have been some improvements in some major areas, it just has not translated to success on the field. However, even with all of this criticism, the team’s ownership seems to want to bring him back for at least one more year. The Falcons are 6-7 and are currently in second place in the NFC South division. If they are not able to make the playoffs this season due to a collapse, this stance might change, but for now, it looks like Smith’s job is safe.
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