The Atlanta Falcons have ended the Arthur Smith era, showing him the exit door after he failed to crack a winning formula over three seasons, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Smith's departure was set in stone following a 7-10 finish this season, culminating in a demoralizing 48-17 thrashing at the hands of the New Orleans Saints.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay will face the media at 4 p.m. ET on Monday to discuss the move, and the team said in a statement that the firing of Smith, who recorded three straight losing seasons, is a pivot toward "new leadership" for the team, per details from The Athletic. Atlanta has struggled to replicate past glories, edging no closer to success since their last playoff appearance in 2017. Smith, hired to reverse the team's fortunes, found himself at the helm of a team in a constant quarterback shuffle that failed to haul them over the line.
Despite the locker room's backing, with veteran Calais Campbell expressing his support for the coach and offensive lineman Jake Matthews asserting his admiration, "All I can say is I love the guy, support him," Matthews told The Athletic, it wasn't enough to save Smith's job. An ailing team desperate for a revival in fortunes made the call many saw coming after general manager Terry Fontenot, team president Greg Beadles, and McKay were spotted entering the Atlanta locker room with the team trailing in the final quarter of a game they initially led.
Looking ahead, the Falcons are frantically fishing for a replacement, with the big fish in view being Bill Belichick, whose tenure with the New England Patriots is reportedly on shaky ground. Belichick's wealth of experience and his quest to eclipse Don Shula's record for most NFL wins as a head coach could spell a bright, shiny lure for Atlanta's leadership.
