The devil works hard, but the NFL works harder. The Falcons and Steelers season opener would’ve already had hype because it’s the first game with two new quarterbacks and a new head coach on one side. However, there’s an added layer of drama with Arthur Smith returning to Atlanta.
After three seasons as head coach of the Falcons, accumulating a 21-30 record and no playoff appearances, Smith was fired. His tenure wasn’t filled with many happy days for Falcons fans, most were glad to just wipe their hands of the situation. They’re certainly eager to beat the Steelers and their former head coach, but it might not be mutual.
When asked about his return to Atlanta, Arthur Smith said, “I’m not really an emotional, petty person…With us playing Atlanta this week or going to Denver next week for Russ, if you’re caught up in that, you’re caught up in the wrong things.”
Arthur Smith said he's maintaining a "neutral mindset" ahead of his return to Atlanta:
"I’m not really an emotional, petty person…With us playing Atlanta this week or going to Denver next week for Russ, if you’re caught up in that, you’re caught up in the wrong things."
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) September 5, 2024
This is exactly what I’d guess Arthur Smith would say, and to a certain extent, I believe him. But let’s remember, he’s a human, which means he has normal tendencies and emotions.
There’s no way in hell Smith doesn’t want to beat his former team very badly. That’s just not possible after being fired less than a calendar year ago. While I don’t think it would impact his decision-making or anything significant, it’s not true that he’s a robot and feels nothing.
In that same breath, his players know how much this game means to Arthur Smith. Steelers players were already going to be motivated because it’s a Mike Tomlin coached football team in the season opener. But a little extra motivation never hurts, and they’d love to get their new offensive coordinator a win against his former team.
That’s a two-way street, though. Falcons players don’t want to lose the first game of the season in Raheem Morris’ debut against their former coach. It should be an awesome Week 1 affair.
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