Falcons’ Arthur Smith, Commanders’ Ron Rivera fired
It didn’t take long for the NFL’s “Black Monday” to officially begin. Just after midnight Eastern time, the Atlanta Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith, dismissing him just hours after a blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints capped his three-year run with the franchise. And that was just the start of the action. Early Monday morning, the Washington Commanders moved on from coach Ron Rivera. The day marks an annual reckoning for coaching staffs and front offices throughout the league. More moves are sure to come. During the season, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Josh McDaniels, Carolina Panthers’ Frank Reich and Los Angeles Chargers’ Brandon Staley were let go.
Commanders’ search already taking shape
The one move everyone expected on Monday is now official.
The Commanders decided to move on from Rivera after four seasons, the team announced.
Rivera’s fate seemed to have been sealed some time ago, but Washington ended the season on a league-worst eight-game losing streak to finish at 4-13.
New owner Josh Harris will now embark on his first coaching search with the franchise, with former NBA Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman hired to assist in the process, according to ESPN.
Whoever takes over should have a prime opportunity to flip the roster. The Commanders own the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft and currently trail only the Tennessee Titans in effective cap space for next season.
The Commanders are wasting no time in starting their search. Washington requested permission to interview Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Baltimore Ravens associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn
for its opening, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Morris was Washington’s defensive backs coach from 2012-14. After helping guide the Rams’ young defense this season, Morris could be a fixture on the coaching interview circuit as he seeks his second job leading a franchise.
Johnson is expected to be one of the most highly sought head coaching candidates after helping Detroit finish in the top five in both yards per game and scoring in each of the past two seasons.
Washington also requested an interview with Cleveland Browns assistant general manager Glenn Cook and Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for their top football operations job, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Schefter also reported that the team asked to speak with San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters and Kansas City Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi, while Pelissero reported the team asked to interview Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby.
Atlanta Falcons fire Arthur Smith
The Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith just after midnight on Monday, hours after the team was routed in the finale of its third consecutive losing season in three years under Smith’s watch.
Atlanta entered Sunday with a very narrow path to claim the NFC South title, but it was shut out of the postseason for the third year under Smith when it was dealt a 48-17 loss by the rival Saints.
“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” 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. After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”
Smith finishes his tenure with a career mark of 21-30.
Blank said that he and Falcons CEO Rich McKay would lead the search, with GM Terry Fontenot also providing input.
On Dec. 20, Blank said he was “committed” to Smith but wanted to see how the end of the season played out. The Falcons went on to lose two of their final three games after that point, with the team not having claimed a winning season since 2017.
Blank did not issue a playoff mandate before the season, but he said in August, “I expect us to win more games than we’ve won the last couple of years.”
Quarterback play proved to be a particular problem for Smith throughout his run. After the Falcons’ failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson in March 2022, the organization dealt mainstay Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts and signed Marcus Mariota as his replacement. Mariota was benched that December for rookie Desmond Ridder.
Rather than pursue a veteran quarterback or another passer in the draft, the Falcons opted to stick by Ridder heading into the season. Smith attributed criticism of Ridder in October to “toxic groupthink,” but he would later go on to bench his starter twice in favor of Taylor Heinicke. Ridder started Sunday’s finale against the Saints with Heinicke ruled out by an ankle injury.
Smith was also scrutinized for his use of the Falcons’ skill-position players after the team invested top-10 picks in tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson. Pitts had just four more catches on the season (51) than fellow tight end Jonnu Smith, while Robinson, who was widely expected to be the centerpiece of the offense, had just 23 more carries than Tyler Allgeier.
The Falcons finished the year just 26th in scoring at 18.9 points per game.
No changes for Jets
Robert Saleh knew he was safe for next season after receiving an endorsement from Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Now, the coach is extending that same security to the rest of his staff.
Saleh said Monday he expects to have all three coordinators back for 2024.
Patriots’ Bill Belichick addresses the rumors
The New England Patriots’ future with Bill Belichick remains murky, but the coach finally addressed his standing with the team on Monday.
Asked about the possibility of giving up personnel control to remain with the team, Belichick didn’t close the door on the hypothetical.
“Look, I’m for whatever we decide collectively as an organization is the best thing to help our football team,” he said. “I have multiple roles in that, and I rely on a lot of people to help me in those responsibilities. Somebody’s got to have the final say. I have it. I rely on a lot of other people to help.
“Whatever that process part of it.”
Belichick did not provide a definitive answer, however, on whether he would want to coach another team if he does not remain with the Patriots. is, I’m only
No assistant firings for Indianapolis Colts?
Shane Steichen appears to be standing pat entering Year 2 with the Colts. Asked Monday about any potential changes to his staff, Steichen said, “I believe in continuity.” He reiterated the point when asked about defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who led a unit that ranked 24th in yards allowed (349.8).
Carolina Panthers fire GM
The Carolina Panthers belatedly finished cleaning house Monday, firing GM Scott Fitterer six weeks after head coach Reich was relieved of his duties.
“As we move forward with the new direction for our franchise, I have made the decision that Scott Fitterer will no longer serve as our general manager,” owner David Tepper said in a statement. “I appreciate Scott’s efforts and wish the best for him and his family.”
Despite acquiring the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 draft and selecting Alabama QB Bryce Young, the Panthers finished with a league-worst 2-15 record. However, they won’t be selecting first in this year’s draft because Fitterer traded that choice, along with WR DJ Moore and other capital, to the Bears in the transaction to obtain Young. Carolina went 14-37 in three seasons with Fitterer making moves.
The Panthers requested an interview with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, according to multiple reports. Callahan does not call plays for the Bengals, but he has played a key role under coach Zac Taylor in the development of Joe Burrow and Cincinnati's offense. He interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals and Colts last offseason as well as the Denver Broncos the previous year.
New York Giants fire specialteams coordinator, per reports
The Giants are making changes to their coaching staff, though not at the top. The team fired special-teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, according to multiple reports. McGaughey had been with the team for six seasons.
Giants coach Brian Daboll said earlier Monday morning that he expects to retain offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, but Martindale reportedly resigned later in the day.