Flick's Forum: Atlanta Falcons 'Absolutely' Believe in Coach Arthur Smith as Job Security Questions Arise
As Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith looked out to the crowd of reporters, his eyes started in the center before shifting left, listening to the question at hand.
Thereafter, Smith's head dropped, and his eyebrows raised.
He'd just been asked why he feels he's still the right man for the job after Atlanta's 9-7 loss Sunday to the Carolina Panthers (2-12), who hadn't won since Oct. 29.
Smith ran his left hand through his rain-soaked hair and began.
"I think in any job you take, got to have a lot of self-belief," Smith said. "This is the cycle of it - there's consequences to when you lose, so these are natural questions. It's NFL 101."
Doting a somber tone, Smith answered questions for nearly 10 minutes. He accepted what had happened - an inexcusable loss that may ultimately cost the Falcons their first playoff berth in six years.
And, perhaps most importantly, his job.
Atlanta's 6-8 with three weeks left to play. It's lost back-to-back divisional games in the final minute and has slid from sole possession of first place in the NFC South to a game back of both the division lead and the NFC's final two wildcard spots.
The Falcons' season has followed a similar track to Smith's first two years, as they were 6-8 in 2021 and 5-9 in 2022.
In those two campaigns, there was a level of understanding, as Atlanta was transitioning from the previous regime and battling cap restrictions created by old contracts.
But now, there's no such patience.
The Falcons spent $190 million in free agency this spring. Owner Arthur Blank noted during training camp this is Year 3 of a three-year plan.
And still, with the roster entirely reconstructed, the on-field results remain the same.
"Each one of these years has been different," Smith said. "We've had three different teams. Lots of different movement at critical spots. At the end of the day, your job is to win. I've got a ton of self-belief. I can promise you that."
Reports surfaced last week Smith's job is safe barring a "late collapse," and while three games remain, Sunday's loss certainly feels like could be the start of such a turn of events.
After the defeat, Smith felt he and the coaching staff didn't do a good enough job preparing his team for the game, which linebacker Kaden Elliss shared was preached as a playoff-esque match.
The Falcons suffered a similar result in Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals, losing 25-23 in the closing seconds after quarterback Taylor Heinicke billed the game as Atlanta's Super Bowl.
Under Smith, the Falcons haven't been able to reach postseason play ... but they've already lost multiple "playoff" games and are now stuck realizing they're on the outside looking in at the real deal.
And that, Smith believes, is an unsuccessful coaching effort.
"Job's to win games, and there's a lot of things we've dealt with early on, but ultimately, job is to win games and get into the playoffs," Smith said. "We'll still have that opportunity, (but) it'll look like a long shot."
Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith reacts against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Smith arrived in Atlanta with the reputation of being a strong offensive mind. He and general manager Terry Fontenot have compiled a quality group of young playmakers, headlined by running back Bijan Robinson, receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.
Should the loss to Carolina be the one that ultimately begins Smith's fateful downfall, his offense's struggles will be a critical reason as to why he's out of a job.
The Falcons mustered just 204 total yards of offense and one singular touchdown. It's the fourth-fewest yards Atlanta's compiled under Smith ... but only its third-worst mark this year.
Robinson had only eight touches for 14 yards. London saw a mere three targets. Pitts caught three passes for 37 yards and hasn't eclipsed 100 receiving yards in a game since Dec. 26, 2021.
Atlanta ranks No. 26 league-wide in points per game at 18.4. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has thrown as many touchdowns (10) as interceptions.
The Falcons' offense is struggling, and its best weapons aren't consistently producing. The long-term answer under center doesn't appear to be on the roster.
Some three seasons later, the area Smith was brought to Atlanta to improve remains a mess.
Still, the Falcons' locker room stands behind him.
"Absolutely," veteran left tackle Jake Matthews said. "Because I believe in what he stands for and what we’re trying to do here, and I’m absolutely bought in."
Matthews has started a franchise-record 158 consecutive games. He's been a part of the highest of highs, such as Atlanta's Super Bowl run, and lowest of lows, perhaps seen right now as another season begins to drift away.
After the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention last season, another veteran, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, dubbed it the "same s---, different year."
Losing to the 2-12 Panthers, who failed to score touchdown, seems like it would fall into that category, with a season's worth of work potentially going down the drain.
There was legitimate belief sparked by a strong offseason of player acquisition that 2023 would be different, and a 2-0 started only added fuel to the fire.
But through 14 games, it hasn't.
The blame starts at the top, and Smith - be it his offense or the team's lack of preparation against Carolina - is the clearest target.
Belief remains high in the locker room ... even if it's all but diminished on the outside.
"(Smith) is a great coach," Ridder said. "We're all with coach Art. He puts us in the best position. At the end of the day, he can call a play or whatever it is, but it's up to us to be able to go out there and execute and be better."
During Dan Quinn's final few years as head coach, the Falcons became known for failing to finish wins. Fast forward to Year 3 under Smith, and in each of its past four losses, Atlanta's fallen behind in the final minute.
In short, the same issues remain ... but with Smith's stamp all over them.
Smith said he hasn't heard anything like the State of the Union on his job status and simply focused on trying to be the best he can each day, hoping to guide the Falcons back to the win column.
In his first two seasons, this would suffice. In Year 3, it doesn't.
The ball is ultimately in Blank's hands, and with three games left to play, it's probable the final decision hasn't been made.
But if the Falcons continue trending as they have been, the decision may be made for him.
