A couple of weeks ago, it seemed that Falcons head coach Arthur Smith’s job was safe. Now, the tide might be turning on him in Atlanta.
Before the team’s Week 15 tilt against the Panthers, Jeremy Fowler reported that it would take a “late-season collapse” for Smith’s job security to come into question. The Falcons blew the chance of taking a stranglehold on the division, but a loss to Tampa Bay wasn’t the end of the world.
However, a loss to the coachless, lifeless 1-12 Panthers certainly falls under the umbrella of a collapse, especially considering the offense only put up seven points, and Desmond Ridder once again had a back-breaking turnover.
The defeat has prompted many to speculate on Arthur Smith’s job security, and it seems there’s a legitimate possibility that Arthur Blank will move on this offseason.
When asked about the future of Arthur Smith, Blank said, “We’re gonna play these last three games; we play ’em to win ’em. And we’ll let the season play out and go from there. Obviously this has not been the kind of year we expected.”
There’s been a clear internal temperature shift, and it’s been confirmed by Josina Anderson of CBS Sports who reports there are “sentiments of dismay” around the Falcons’ head coach.
I’m told sentiments of dismay are rising around HC Arthur Smith in Atlanta particularly after their 9-7 loss to the #Panthers, per source; though no definitive decision has been publicly relayed on his tenure.
We’ll see how it goes. They face the Colts, Bears & Saints next.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 20, 2023
It’s certainly justified. If the Falcons lose two of their final three or somehow end the season on a five-game losing streak, Smith might need to fire up the ‘ole resume builder. Blank didn’t just make the media rounds for no reason; he’s applying pressure.
Arthur Smith has the next three weeks to subside these “sentiments of dismay” and change the narrative.
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Photographer: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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