Atlanta Falcons Arthur Blank Remains 'Supportive' of Coach Arthur Smith Amid Losing Streak
The Atlanta Falcons are struggling after their promising 2-0 start to the season. They have since dropped six of their last eight games and are sitting under .500 with a 4-6 record.
With the slip in results amid a season where many expected the Falcons to be the team in the NFC South to take the next step and announce themselves as playoff contenders, they are seemingly stuck in that second gear between not being in the postseason and actually getting in.
However, despite a three-game losing streak and the outside noise calling for change, a new report from The Athletic revealed the Falcons will not be making any changes regarding the job status of coach Arthur Smith.
"[Arthur] Blank has been quiet. His emotions still fluctuate as they did early in his ownership years but he’s far less likely to comment publicly on the ups and down of his football team now," The Athletic writes. "He declined to comment for this column. But team sources say he has been supportive of Smith behind the scenes, even while it’s acknowledged he expects progress this season."
Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith reacts after a call by the officiating crew during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
This report may not be necessarily surprising because, as the article notes, the Falcons have only fired a coach once under Arthur Blank at midseason. That one time was back in 2020 when now Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was let go after an 0-5 start to the season.
At that point, the postseason was basically out of the question, as no team has ever made the postseason after an 0-5 start.
So, while the Falcons are underperforming in six of their past eight games, there is still a chance to right the ship with Smith at the helm. Despite the three-game losing streak, the Falcons are just a game back from jumping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for second in the division and a Saints loss from retaking first place.
