Falcons fire Arthur Smith as head coach after three consecutive 7-10 seasons

The Atlanta Falcons are making a head coaching change. The Falcons fired Arthur Smith following the team’s Week 18 loss to the division rival New Orleans Saints, the team announced in a statement soon after the clock turned from Sunday night into Monday morning.

The defeat capped Atlanta’s third consecutive 7-10 season under Smith, who was hired away from the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2021 season. Atlanta was 6-6 after 12 games this season, then proceeded to go 1-4 down the stretch with division losses to each of the Buccaneers, Panthers and Saints along the way.

“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in the statement. “We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations. After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”

This post will be updated with more information.