NFL Rumors: Falcons linked to 'Patriots legend' as future HC replacement
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is skating on thin ice. He needs a Week 18 win over the New Orleans Saints or Falcons owner Arthur Blank is likelier to send him packing. NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that Blank, who remains torn on his decision regarding Smith's future, has been calling around the league asking […]
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is skating on thin ice.
He needs a Week 18 win over the New Orleans Saints or Falcons owner Arthur Blank is likelier to send him packing.
NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that Blank, who remains torn on his decision regarding Smith's future, has been calling around the league asking for advice.
They also report that Blank has been looking into potential head coach replacements, including long-time New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
"A win over the Saints on Sunday, plus a Buccaneers loss to the Panthers, would put Atlanta into the playoffs for the first time in six years.
"But a loss would drop Atlanta to 1-4 over its final five games of the regular season and ensure a third straight seven-win season, heightening scrutiny on the progress of the football operation at a time when there could be big-name coaches — including Patriots legend Bill Belichick, whose name has come up frequently in connection with Atlanta in conversations with league sources the past week — potentially becoming available," – Ian Rapoport & Tom Pelissero.
Like Atlanta, the 4-12 Patriots are also weighing their decision on whether or not they'll move on from Belichick, who is scheduled to meet with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft on Monday.
If they do decide to part ways with Belichick after 24 seasons and six Super Bowls, then he'll be a hot coaching candidate for a handful of teams looking for change.
Falcons Can Still Make the Playoffs
Since Smith took over as head coach in 2021, the Falcons have an overall 21-29 record and have not made the playoffs.
However, there is still a slime chance the Falcons make the playoffs with a win over New Orleans on Sunday and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Even if they do make the playoffs, Smith's future in Atlanta is blurry.
While under Smith, the Falcons haven't found their future franchise quarterback, which will be the biggest task heading into the offseason. Smith has, however, built a solid foundation around the QB with the likes of tight end Kyle Pitts, running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London. He's also helped resurrect the defense.
But is that enough to sway Blank to give Smith, who has gone through four quarterbacks in three seasons, one more chance to turn things around?
We'll see what Sunday's outcome against the Saints and "Black Monday" bring us.
Falcons’ Cordarrelle Patterson reacts to Arthur Smith’s bad decision
Shame on Arthur Smith.
