Black Monday Begins: Arthur Smith Is OUT as Falcons Head Coach

Alright, we're back, boys. This is a strong start to 2024 for the Falcons.

Obviously nobody ever wants to revel in someone losing their job, but this simply had to be done. You can't go 7-10 for a third straight year when you have Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and a top 10 defense in the NFL. Arthur Smith seems like a great guy and I'm sure he'll get another opportunity somewhere, but it just wasn't going to work in Atlanta.

I don't know whose fault it is that the Falcons rolled into 2023 with Desmond Ridder as the guy under center, but it was definitely Smith's fault that it took so long to replace him with Taylor Heinicke — before going back to Ridder again — and there's absolutely nobody else to blame for the baffling usage of Robinson and Pitts throughout the season. Atlanta had a stockpile of offensive weapons and a coaching staff without a clue how to use them.

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Assuming the next hire is someone of relative competence as it pertains to personnel and this team can get a quarterback who resembles a professional, I'm very bullish on it moving forward. GM Terry Fontenot has done an outstanding job revamping the defense and drafting playmakers like Pitts, Robinson and London, but the head coach has to know what to do with them. The interview process should include a portion showing candidates pictures of Pitts and Jonnu Smith and asking which guy you'd design more plays for.

Ts and Ps to Artie Smith. Hope he lands on his feet, but I'm glad he'll be landing somewhere other than Atlanta.