The Atlanta Falcons’ all-time best quarterback, Matt Ryan, witnessed the team’s humiliating 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. This defeat marked the end for coach Arthur Smith, who was fired shortly after midnight on Monday. Arthur Blank and Rich McKay are now on the hunt for a new head coach, aiming for improved results after three consecutive 7-10 seasons.
For long-time Falcons followers, Arthur Blank’s decision was undoubtedly a tough one. Known for building strong relationships with his coaches and players, Blank had a positive opinion of Arthur Smith. However, even that wasn’t enough to secure Smith’s job for another season.
After the decision, Matt Ryan shared insights into what likely influenced Arthur Blank’s thought process during this critical offseason. Ryan emphasized that the quarterback position for the Falcons in the past season fell short of expectations and didn’t pull its weight. Blank believed it was necessary to make a change in both coaching staff and quarterback to establish stability, especially with the 8th pick in the upcoming draft.
Ryan’s focus on the quarterback issue is accurate, acknowledging that this area was the team’s biggest letdown during the season, surpassing even the challenges faced by Arthur Smith. Despite Smith advocating for Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback, the Falcons failed to bring in substantial competition. This decision, naming Ridder the starter without viable alternatives, might haunt Smith for a considerable time.
While Blank could have given Smith another chance to address the quarterback situation, he seemingly lacked confidence in Smith’s decision-making for the position. The offseason is pivotal for the franchise, requiring a successful quarterback acquisition. Blank, approaching 80, may not have been willing to risk setting the franchise back for years by making the wrong call, even if it meant enduring another challenging coaching search.
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