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In latest NFL annals, the checklist of HCs to go 0-for-3 in playoff berths to begin a tenure after which be introduced again for a fourth 12 months is just not lengthy. Whereas Robert Saleh is on observe to buck this pattern and be introduced again after (in all chance) three non-playoff seasons in New York, the Falcons are additionally not anticipated to shake up their workers.
Though Atlanta is tied for the NFC South lead, the staff might not have to make the playoffs for Arthur Smith to maintain his job. The Falcons aren’t anticipated to, barring a collapse, fireplace Smith in 2024, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. This differs from a standing report on this job final month, which indicated Smith was extra prone to go than keep in 2024.
After their loss to the Buccaneers, the Falcons are 6-7. The staff completed 7-10 in every of Smith’s first two seasons. The Falcons launched a little bit of a rebuild underneath Smith and GM Terry Fontenot, taking over appreciable lifeless cash to maneuver the Julio Jones, Matt Ryan and Deion Jones contracts. However the staff is trying prone to exit 12 months 3 with out the quarterback place being solved. Desmond Ridder has submitted an inconsistent season, being benched for Taylor Heinicke at one level, after the Falcons backed the 2022 third-round decide all through the offseason.
Ridder ranks twenty fourth in QBR and, regardless of the Falcons selecting go catchers within the high 10 in 2021 (Kyle Pitts) and 2022 (Drake London), has thrown simply 9 landing passes (in comparison with 9 INTs) this season. The Falcons, who had been in place to commerce for Deshaun Watson had the Browns not come by way of with the astonishing $230M assure provide final 12 months, joined the remainder of the NFL in not pursuing Lamar Jackson this offseason. Arthur Clean expressed an curiosity in constructing round Ridder’s rookie contract, however the Falcons might have to discover an improve in 2024.
The Falcons ranked third in dashing final season however struggled mightily by way of the air within the largely Marcus Mariota-quarterbacked marketing campaign. After rating fifteenth in factors scored final season, Atlanta sits twenty fourth in Ridder’s first full 12 months as a starter. Lively in including defenders this offseason, the staff has improved from twenty third to twelfth underneath new DC Ryan Nielsen. However Smith was employed to jumpstart Atlanta’s offense. For probably the most half, that has not occurred.
The NFC South has produced one of many worst two-year durations of any division in NFL historical past, because it might doubtlessly ship a second straight sub-.500 staff to the playoffs as soon as once more. Each coach within the division has both ventured to a scorching seat or already been fired (Frank Reich). The Falcons shut the season with just one staff (the 7-6 Colts) left on their schedule with a successful file. This might give Smith a closing platform to persuade possession he deserves a fourth season. Ought to the Falcons retain Smith for 2024, he will definitely enter the season on a scorching seat.
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