Following the Atlanta Falcons’ 9-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the team’s decision about coach Arthur Smith’s future has become more hazy.
ESPN said going into the game that Smith’s job was safe barring a late-season collapse. Apparently, though, one score in a losing effort against a Panthers team that had only won once before is enough to start things going.
The Athletic reports that while Smith’s position was “thought to be safe,” recent performance has raised further concerns, which has led to owner Arthur Blank giving Smith a set of goals for the final three weeks of the season.
“Though I don’t sense panic in Atlanta, Smith needs to show Blank he is the right person to return with strong performances all over the field in the remaining weeks of the season,” writes The Athletic. The owner is eighty-two years old. Right now, he wants to triumph.
“If Smith remains in place, the pressure will be on for the Falcons to get it right at quarterback in the 2024 draft.”
Uncertainty surrounds the definition of “strong performances,” but Blank stated on Tuesday in an interview with Jeff Hullinger of Georgia Public Broadcasting that having a winning, more competitive club this season was a must.
For Atlanta (6-8) to have a record above.500, it must win its next three games. That would be Smith’s first winning run of three games as head coach.
Leave a Reply