The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith, the team announced on Sunday following a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Atlanta entered Week 18 with a chance to win the NFC South, but the blowout defeat dropped the team to 7-10 for a third straight season under Smith.
“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a 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.”
Smith, 41, originally joined the team in 2021 after a successful stint as the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator.