Falcons Rumors: Arthur Smith Won't Be Fired as HC 'Barring a Late-Season Collapse'

Arthur Smith's job as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons appears to be safe, for now.

Smith "is safe in Atlanta, barring a late-season collapse," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday while discussing the possibility of a head coaching job opening up in the NFC South.

The Falcons hired Smith as head coach ahead of the 2021 season with hopes that he could turn the franchise into a Super Bowl contender.

However, Atlanta finished the 2021 and 2022 seasons with a 7-10 record, continuing a streak of missing the playoffs that began during the 2018 campaign under former head coach Dan Quinn.

The Falcons entered the 2023 season with high hopes after the franchise invested $190 million in roster upgrades during the offseason, bringing in the likes of safety Jessie Bates III and defensive tackle David Onyemata.

Atlanta also selected former Texas running back Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 pick in the 2023 draft. Robinson was the team's third straight top-10 pick, joining wide receiver Drake London (No. 8 in 2022) and tight end Kyle Pitts (No. 4 in 2021).

However, the Falcons sit second in the NFC South with a 6-7 record and will likely miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season if they don't claim the division crown.

Part of the team's struggles can be attributed to the inconsistent play of quarterback Desmond Ridder, who has completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 2,376 yards and nine touchdowns against nine interceptions in 12 games.

Atlanta still has an opportunity to finish strong and make the playoffs for the first time under Smith as the franchise closes out the season with a manageable four games against the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.

Unless the Falcons completely fall apart over the last four games of the regular season, fans should expect to continue seeing Smith on the sideline in 2024.