ESPN NEWS: Huge Tension at Falcons as All signs seemingly point to Atlanta Falcons firing Arthur Smith

The Falcons came up short in 2023, which could cost Arthur Smith his job.

Before Atlanta’s Week 14 game against the Buccaneers, Jeremy Fowler reported that the only way Smith would be fired after the season would be if the Falcons had a “late season collapse.”

We weren’t told exactly what that would involve, but it appeared like a blown opportunity versus Tampa Bay. While fans questioned whether it was or was not, the Falcons went on with their regular season, traveling to Carolina to face the 1-12 Panthers.

A loss to the league’s poorest team, thereby ending the club’s postseason ambitions, would certainly meet the description of a late-season collapse. Atlanta’s worst fears were fulfilled when they were defeated by their division rivals who were without a coach.

If it wasn’t a late-season collapse, it appeared that only losing the locker room’s trust could cost Smith his job, because he returned last week against the Colts in the season’s most spectacular triumph.
next the 29-10 thrashing of Indianapolis, reports circulated that Arthur Blank would most likely hand Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot the 2024 campaign, but another humiliating loss the next week may have changed the tide.

On Sunday, the Falcons looked as terrible as they had all season against the Bears. As I have stated, the head coach’s job appears to be on the line, but the only way he’d be fired is if he lost the locker room. That appears to be happening in real time.

Cordarrelle Patterson, one of Flowery Branch’s most regarded veterans, publicly expressed his displeasure with his position in the offense on social media for all to see. The timing of this next piece of information is convenient due to an internal shift within Atlanta’s locker room following the Week 17 setback.

Although the two are unrelated, according to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, all signs lead to Arthur Blank firing Arthur Smith this summer.
“Anything less than firing would be shocking.” Owner Arthur Blank isn’t a fan of Coach Arthur Smith’s work, and many individuals around Blank at the most recent league meetings assumed a coaching search was inevitable. Smith’s string of devastating losses since then hasn’t helped, nor has the quarterback rotating door,” La Canfora said.

The Falcons have been one of the league’s biggest disappointments this season, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the team is again in the hunt for an offensive coordinator after only three seasons with the former Titans. La Canfora is not alone in his feelings. Two current GMs believe Blank’s decision has already been made.

“I don’t care what anybody writes, Arthur Smith isn’t safe,” remarked the first GM. “He’s there for one more week.” “They can’t sell tickets, man,” replied the other GM. They have a slew of first-round picks on offense but can’t score. He must change his ways. Arthur Smith is no longer for sale.”

Smith’s use of his three first-round picks, or lack thereof, has become a running gag among Falcons fans and fantasy football players. Blank must be concerned about the underutilization of Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London.
Furthermore, the Falcons have not consistently filled Mercedes Benz Stadium since its existence, and Blank, like everyone else, sees empty seats. Atlanta contests have evolved into a destination for visiting teams looking for a home away from home.

Having said that, La Canfora is infamous for being off on various reports, including the Falcons. So, while I believe Blank will terminate Smith, I would take this information with a grain of salt.