Fewer head coaches have a hotter seat than Arthur Smith does at the moment.
The Atlanta Falcons’ season hasn’t yielded the type of result that many anticipated, leaving Smith in a vulnerable position.
While fans have called for his firing over the past several weeks, it doesn’t appear that the team is making a change before the end of the season.
Ian Rapoport recently highlighted the comments of Arthur Blank, the Falcons’ owner.
Blank said that the team is “committed to coach Smith,” adding, “We will let the season play out and go from there.”
"We are committed to coach Smith. We are going to play these last three games; we are committed to win. We will let the season play out and go from there." — Arthur Blank https://t.co/ntOYn1vJ5c
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2023
Judging by these comments, it doesn’t appear the Falcons are prepared to make an in-season coaching change.
The Falcons could still make it into the playoffs, and while it wasn’t explicitly said, it seems like Smith’s future with the team could hinge on the Falcons’ playoff status.
If they can find a way to win the division and sneak in, Smith might be the Falcons’ coach again in 2024.
However, with Blank’s comments only covering Smith for the rest of the year, it is clear that he is non-commital about Smith.
Fans will anxiously await how the rest of the season plays out and what it means for the future of this organization.
With upcoming games against the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints, the Falcons’ path to the postseason will not be easy.
They have flip-flopped on their quarterback situation, now turning to Taylor Heinicke instead of Desmond Ridder, who will hopefully help lead this late-season charge.
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