Following a devastating loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank stated that the team will “let the season play out and go from there.” Blank confirmed the organization’s commitment to Coach Smith in an interview with Georgia Public Broadcasting on Tuesday, but said that they would examine their situation and make decisions accordingly when the season ended. The Falcons’ 9-7 loss to the NFL’s bottom-ranked club was their second in a row, knocking them out of first place in the NFC South and reducing them to 6-8, requiring outside help to make the playoffs. While Blank underlined that making the playoffs this season was not a requirement for Smith to keep his job, he acknowledged the team’s heightened competitiveness. Atlanta previously had a 7-10 record in both 2021 and 2022.
Blank noted the season’s uneven performance in a conversation with GPB, emphasizing Smith’s self-critical approach and commitment to representing his family’s values in his leadership. Blank went on to say, “So we’ll see how the season plays out and go from there.”
The Falcons will begin their final playoff drive in Indianapolis, with Taylor Heinicke replacing Desmond Ridder at quarterback. Heinicke had previously filled in for Ridder in November defeats to Minnesota and Arizona.
Following the Colts game, Atlanta will finish the regular season with road games against the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. Arthur Smith, 41, is presently in his third season as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach.
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