The Falcons’ schedule doesn’t officially release for another 24 hours or so, but it seems we know at least one game, and it just so happens to be the first one.
According to Zach Klein, the Falcons are set to open the 2024 campaign by hosting the Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Arthur Smith returns to Atlanta less than 10 months after Arthur Blank fired him.
Multiple sources around the league tell me the Falcons will open up the NFL season at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers and former HC and current Steelers OC Arthur Smith
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) May 14, 2024
Brian Baldinger came out earlier with the exact same report, so it feels trustworthy.
The “Arthur Smith return to Atlanta” game will certainly be an emotional one for Falcons fans.
Smith grew out of favor very quickly with his short, dry attitude, but it was the results on the field that ultimately cost him his job. Though Smith had struggles in certain facets of being a head coach, the driving factor in the Falcons’ shortcomings last season was the quarterback play.
If the team had even average quarterback play, they very likely would’ve made the postseason and Smith would still be the head coach. Now, he’s landed on his feet in his post-Falcons career, taking over for Matt Canada in Pittsburgh as the Steelers offensive coordinator.
I actually think Arthur Smith will do well in the Steel City. The former Titans coordinator put together a hell of an offense in Tennessee, and the Steelers couldn’t be more perfect for his style of football. Mike Tomlin wants to run the football, and there aren’t many better in that department than Arthur Smith.
The Falcons will certainly have their hands full defending against Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson, who will also be facing his former team. Along with Patterson, the Falcons will see a few other familiar faces in Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, and MyCole Pruitt.
The Steelers are actually in a similar place as the Falcons, replacing a young quarterback with proven veterans in hopes of returning to the postseason. It’ll be a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium, that’s for sure.
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Photographer: Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
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