Report: Falcons expected to fire Mike Smith after season
Barring a deep playoff run, the Atlanta Falcons are expected to fire head coach Mike Smith after this season, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
The Falcons (6-9) remain in the playoff race after defeating the New Orleans Saints 30-14 on Sunday, but La Canfora's report indicates it will take a "shocking" playoff run to prevent owner Arthur Blank from making a change at head coach.
Atlanta has won just one game outside of the lowly NFC South this season -- Nov. 30 against the Arizona Cardinals -- and has won just nine games over the past two seasons despite weighty expectations.
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Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels are among the candidates the Falcons are checking out, according to La Canfora.
Gase was promoted to offensive coordinator last season after serving as an assistant coordinator for Denver since 2009. Denver ranks fourth in total offense with 400.7 yards per game and fifth in scoring offense with 29.1 points per game.
McDaniels returned to the Patriots in 2011 after serving as the Broncos' head coach from 2009-10 and spending 2011 as the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator. Previously, McDaniels was the Patriots' offensive coordinator from 2006-08 after spending 2004-08 as quarterbacks coach.
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At 6-9, the Falcons are second in the NFC South behind the Carolina Panthers (6-8-1). The two teams will meet in Week 17 in Atlanta.
- Mike Fiammetta
