The Falcons fell to the Cardinals on Sunday, marking the third straight loss for Atlanta and prompting fans to call for Arthur Smith’s job.
Today, Jeff Schultz reported that Smith won’t be fired anytime soon, noting there has been no “win now, or else” mandate from Arthur Blank, adding that the only way Arthur Smith isn’t back as the Falcons’ head coach in 2024 is if there’s evidence players are turning on him or the team completely unravels.
However, conflicting reports have surfaced from Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, who is painting a different picture of Arthur Smith’s job security. “If the season ended now, I would include the Falcons and Chargers among those looking for new coaches in 2024…” La Canfora writes.
Moreover, La Canfora is getting information from other general managers, noting the feeling is similar around the league.
“I think they’re making a change,” said a general manager, via Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post. “This is Year 3, when you’re supposed to show something. [Owner] Arthur Blank isn’t getting any younger. …
“They can’t throw the ball downfield, they don’t have a starting quarterback, they took the running back way too high. [Smith] is a great guy, but he got hired to be a quarterback guy and they have all these top-10 picks and they can’t do anything with them. Somebody in the NFC South is going to save their job by winning the division, but I don’t think it’s him.”
I tend to think Jeff Schultz is more plugged into the Falcons than La Canfora, who has a history of misreporting stories. However, another general manager’s opinion is certainly valid.
“Somebody in the NFC South is going to save their job by winning the division” is an interesting quote for the Falcons and Smith.
Barring some unforeseen circumstances, Smith will probably be back in 2024, especially considering Arthur Blank’s history of hanging on to coaches too long. It’s impossible to ignore Arthur Smith’s shortcomings when it comes to the quarterback position, though.
Another general manager said, “He hitched his wagon to Desmond Ridder. I don’t think you can come back from that.”
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Photographer: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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