Falcons owner addresses questions about Arthur Smith’s future

May 25, 2021; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons are one of several teams that may be searching for a new head at some point in the coming weeks, but they are not planning to make a change before the end of the season.

Arthur Smith was viewed as being on the hot seat prior to Week 15. The Falcons then put forth a terrible effort in a 9-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers, who are arguably the worst team in the NFL. That does not bode well for Smith’s chances of keeping his job.

However, Smith is safe for at least three more games. Falcons owner Arthur Blank told Jeff Hulling of Georgia Public Broadcasting on Tuesday that he will let the remainder of the season play out before deciding whether to bring Smith back in 2024.

“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,” Blank said, “Obviously, this has not been the kind of year we expected. You would hear that from coach Smith. You would hear it from our fans and our players. We understand that. We understand the challenges. At the end of the year, we will assess where we are and go from there.”

The Falcons fell to 6-7 with their loss to Carolina last week. Smith announced on Tuesday that he is making another quarterback change. Taylor Heinicke will start in place of Desmond Ridder when the Falcons host the Indianapolis Colts on Christmas Eve.

Smith is in his third year as head coach of the Falcons. The team went 7-10 in his first two seasons. Blank said he did not give Smith a playoff mandate prior to 2023.

While the Falcons have remained competitive for much of the season, Smith has faced some criticism over the way he has utilized certain players. Unless the Falcons somehow sneak into the playoffs, there is a strong chance Smith will be looking for a new job next month.