Falcons Keeping Arthur Smith, Terry Fontenot? Where's Owner Arthur Blank 'Trending'?

The Atlanta Falcons have a decision to make on coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot - and owner Arthur Blank appears to be "trending" in one direction.

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith has grown under public scrutiny as his team sets at 7-8 with two weeks to play, far below the line many expected in his third year at the helm.

Smith's job has grown into question, as Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he'd evaluate the head coaching position at season's end - and evidently, Blank is evaluating general manager Terry Fontenot, too.

But after Sunday's convincing 29-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts in which backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke helped set a new season high in points, Blank appears to be leaning in the direction of retaining Smith and Fontenot for the 2024 season.

"Heinicke being back in there showed where the ceiling for this team is, how the group is still ascending, and why Arthur Blank is trending toward giving Smith and Fontenot another year," Sports Illustrated wrote Tuesday.

Atlanta Falcons team owner Arthur Blank shown on the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Smith and Fontenot are now 21-28 as a pairing since taking over in Jan. 2021 but have endured three largely different seasons.

In Year 1, Atlanta was cash-strapped and forced to field a pieced-together roster of veterans on one-year contracts, mustering seven wins behind quarterback Matt Ryan.

The following season, with Ryan traded to the Indianapolis Colts and veteran bridge Marcus Mariota starting the first 13 games under center, Atlanta went 7-10 once again, but with the league's third-best rushing offense, allowing an identity to form.

This created optimism for 2023, with the Falcons having the second-most cap space in the league and spending $190 million in free agency.

But struggles from quarterback Desmond Ridder and the offense paired with late-game defensive collapses have left Atlanta needing lots to go right over the final two weeks to break a six-year playoff drought.

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Smith's job was reportedly safe entering the season's final four games, pending a late collapse. A 9-7 defeat thereafter to the one-win Carolina Panthers made his job shaky, with further reports deeming the 42-year-old needed "strong performances" to keep his role.

The Falcons responded by collecting their largest margin of victory under Smith, and while their playoff hopes remain on life support, likely need at least one or two more similar performances to put any talks of Smith's firing to bed.

But for now, things are "trending" positively for Smith and Fontenot - they just need to find consistency to finalize their return.