Arthur Smith's tenure with the Falcons will end after just three seasons, the team announced, as the team fired him after a season that ended 7-10 with a blowout loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Smith served as the Titans' offensive coordinator for two seasons before joining the Falcons in 2021, compiling a 21-30 record in three seasons.
He was the first coach to be fired on “Black Monday” in the NFL.
“Decisions like this are never easy, and they never feel good,” owner and chairman Arthur Blank said in a statement. According to ESPN. “We deeply respect Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the past three years. He has helped build a positive culture on our football team. However, the results on the field did not meet our expectations. After much thought and consideration, we have determined that the best course of action for our team is to have a new leader in the head coaching position. Did.”
When Smith took over, the Falcons were in a state of transition, having Matt Ryan for the last season before relying on the duo of Desmond Ridder, Marcus Mariota and Taylor Heinicke for the past two seasons.
