If you ask five different NFL insiders about Arthur Smith’s job security, you’ll get five different answers.
The truth is that nobody truly knows which way Arthur Blank is leaning. The Falcons owner more than likely already has his mind made up, and regardless of how the season finale ends up, Blank knows Smith’s fate.
Your guess is as good as mine.
On the one hand, Smith is certainly underperforming. With three top 10 draft picks, the offense has disappointed and the club is looking at its third straight 7-10 season, despite a boatload of money invested in the roster this past offseason. It would be completely understandable if Blank moved off Smith.
On the other hand, there’s no denying Smith’s resume. He succeeded in Tennessee with Ryan Tannehill, who has played quarterback at a level the Falcons haven’t had since Smith took over in Atlanta, even with Matt Ryan. There’s been a clear hindrance coming from the position. If Blank felt Smith deserved a chance with a quality quarterback, I’d understand that too.
But let’s assume the Falcons owner preferred the former. The hiring pool features some interesting head coaching candidates.
There are the brand new shiny offensive minds — Ben Johnson, Brian Johnson, Bobby Slowik, and Frank Smith. Everyone’s looking for the next Kyle Shanahan, so there will be no shortage of suitors for that group. There are also the coaches on the defensive side of the ball — Dan Quinn, Lou Anarumo, Jerod Mayo, Brian Flores, and Mike Macdonald.
Unlike most hiring cycles, there are a couple of head coaches who have become available as their current gig runs dry. Mike Vrabel‘s name has come about in trade rumors, but the big fish that seems primed to hit the market is Bill Belichick, and there are teams within the Falcons division that have potential interest, according to Josina Anderson.
I’m told there are teams within the NFC South with potential interest in #Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, per source. I previously discussed potential explorations with the Chargers below. While the future Hall of Famer has made an indelible mark, winning 6 Super Bowls with… https://t.co/YPNLZWiLrN pic.twitter.com/KwAewAyK8T
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 4, 2024
The Patriots are having another horrid season, and the greatest coach of all time is now in unfamiliar waters in Foxborough. The club has floundered since Tom Brady left some years back, but Belichick will still be a hot commodity if he’s made available. Though his GM resume is questionable, his coaching acumen is second to none. Bringing in the right offensive coordinator would be paramount too.
We’ll soon know if the Falcons are among the teams that could consider Belichick at season’s end.
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