NFL Rumors: Falcons' Arthur Blank 'Torn' on Firing Arthur Smith After Losing Season

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is reportedly "torn" over whether to fire head coach Arthur Smith, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"Blank is said to have gone back and forth, and to be torn, according to sources," Schefter wrote in part.

"He is a fan of coach Arthur Smith, one of the brighter offensive minds in the game, but that might not be enough for Atlanta to stand pat."

Schefter also added that Atlanta has "been surveying the coaching landscape, mulling what options are out there should they decide to make a change," per sources.

The 41-year-old Smith has been the Falcons' head coach since 2021 after serving as the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator for two seasons.

The Falcons went 7-10 in 2021 and 2022 and will finish with that record once again if they fall to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

However, the Falcons can also win the NFC South if they beat the Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fall to the Carolina Panthers. That's easier said than done with the Panthers currently sporting a 2-14 record, but a division crown could certainly help Smith's chances of staying aboard.

But now Smith appears to be in limbo as the final regular season game nears. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported more information on the Falcons' situation, noting that Blank and Smith "have always had a healthy, communicative relationship."

However, Russini noted that Blank has been frustrated, particularly with how the team has struggled at quarterback. Ultimately, Blank's patience with the current team may be wearing thin.

"This season Blank has been unhappy with losing and inconsistent play at the QB position. He has been publicly noncommittal on the future of his head coach, and after an offseason that produced a reloaded defense and tons of highly drafted offensive players, he has reasons to be frustrated.

"Internally, the sense is the staff will get another shot at this, but 81-year-old Blank isn't getting any younger. He wants to win now. He has had conversations with people around the league that lead me to believe he's tempted to make the move. Keep an eye out for Blank to take a big swing for Belichick too if he moves on from Smith. This isn't a rebuild in Atlanta anymore."

Blank came to Atlanta with a reputation as an offensive guru after the Titans finished 10th and fourth in scoring during his two seasons as the OC.

But the Falcons' offense hasn't come to life under Smith despite the team's draft investments into top collegiate talent.

Tight end Kyle Pitts (No. 4 overall, 2021 draft), wide receiver Drake London (No. 8, 2022) and running back Bijan Robinson (No. 8, 2023) all start for a Falcons team that is currently 26th in the NFL in scoring.

The team's quarterback issues haven't helped matters—Week 1 starter Desmond Ridder has notably been benched on two separate occasions—but the team's offensive performance has still left a lot to be desired given the investments on that side of the ball.

For now, Blank remains the Falcons' head coach as he leads Atlanta into New Orleans for a 1 p.m. ET game on Sunday.