I can’t click on the address in your title. So I’m adding it here.

https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-fire-arthur-smith-as-head-coach-after-three-seasons

He was hired because he was supposedly an offensive genius. In 3 seasons as not only the Head Coach but the Offensive Coordinator as well, he went 7-10 three times, finishing with a 21-30 record.

Number of playoffs appearances: 0

Number of 30+ point games: 0

Score of his final game (with still a small chance to make the playoffs): Loss to the Saints (ugh) 49-17.

The team was not improving. It was time to move on.

Pitts and London rejoice

I genuinely thought he’d get a slight pass this season with next year being his first true hotseat season. I’ve posted this before elsewhere but…

YEAR ONE

• Inherits a team with zero depth at any position and thin at talent in the starters

• Loses WR1, forcing WR2 to step up

• So deep in cap hell the best they can do is sign 3rd stringers and warm bodies.

• New WR1 gives up on the team and takes mental health leave

• Still manages to go 7-10

YEAR TWO

• WR1 gets suspended the entire season

• Loses QB1 in the offseason and the best we can do is sign a 2nd stringer who hasn’t started a full season in his entire NFL career, and played in 18 games in the previous 3 seasons across 2 teams, injury prone with nerve damage in hand

• Still in cap hell, can only sign 2nd-3rd stringers

• Still shows flashes

• QB1 maybe kinda sorta quits on the team after being benched poor play, rookie 3rd rounder shows flashes

YEAR THREE

• First year with cap room to actually sign FAs and make vet splashes

If anything, unless AS completely shits the bed this season his job is 100% safe. If he makes the playoffs year 4 is safe.