Falcons noncommittal on Arthur Smith, will 'let season play out'

[December 21, 2023] Arthur Smith remains head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but owner Arthur Blank wants to see the season play out after the team lost back-to-back games in a span of eight days.
 
In an interview with Georgia Public Broadcast, Blank said the Falcons are "committed" to Smith. 

Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks on during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium./Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

He also said the plan as it relates to any decision on retaining his head coach is to "let the season play out and go from there ... assess where we are and go from there."

Atlanta jumped to the top of the NFC South at 6-6 three weeks ago but lost consecutive games to the Buccaneers and last week at Carolina to drop out of the division lead.

Smith remains unsettled with his quarterback situation, returning Desmond Ridder to a backup role this week after a 9-7 loss to the Panthers and elevating journeyman Taylor Heinicke to the No. 1 spot to face the Colts on Sunday.

"I think through this part of the season, it's been mixed, quite honestly, that's what I think," Blank said. "And that's what the coach would say. Arthur (Smith) is very honest, he looks at himself very critically. So he comes from a beautiful family that has great values and he reflects those values in his leadership the best he can. So we'll see how the season plays out and go from there."

The Falcons posted 7-10 records in Smith's first two seasons in 2021 and 2022.

--Field Level Media

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