Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVDecember 26, 2023
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The Atlanta Falcons’ 2023 season has been an inconsistent roller coaster, but head coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot are reportedly likely to be part of the ride in 2024 as well.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Falcons owner Arthur Blank is “trending toward giving Smith and Fontenot another year.”
Breer pointed to Sunday’s commanding 29-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts and how it displayed the team’s potential with young playmakers such as Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London contributing to the game.
The quarterback position has been an issue as Atlanta has rotated between Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke during a 7-8 campaign, but the latter performed well against the Colts, going 23-of-33 for 229 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.
NFL @NFL
KYLE PITTS TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #INDvsATL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB pic.twitter.com/YwoHsJYEcE
Atlanta is still well within reach of the playoffs and just one game behind the 8-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. The team also finishes with road games against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, who both have losing records.
Despite reports throughout the season suggesting Smith is both safe and in danger of being fired, a late push into the playoffs would be quite the argument in his favor.
Even if the Falcons don’t reach the postseason in 2023, the latest from Breer seems to indicate he and Fontenot will be given another opportunity to build a winner. Whether that means sticking with Ridder and Heinicke or adding a quarterback via free agency or the draft remains to be seen, but the Atlanta roster has enough playmakers to generate optimism moving forward.
