Raheem Morris, the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, just resigned today for the following:.
On NFL Black Monday, a flurry of activity began when the Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith following a third consecutive season in which they finished with a 7-10 record.
In a statement, Atlanta declared their intention to part ways with Smith, beginning what is commonly referred to as “Black Monday”—the Monday following the NFL regular season, which is typically marked by a number of head coaching and management changes.
The statement says, “After a meeting with Falcons owner and chairman, Arthur M. Blank, and the team’s CEO, Rich McKay, Sunday night in Atlanta, the Atlanta Falcons have dismissed Arthur Smith as the team’s head coach.”
According to Blank’s statement, “We have a great deal of respect for Coach Smith and value all the effort and commitment he has made to the Falcons over the past three years.” “He has contributed to our football team’s positive culture development, but on the field, the results have fallen short of our expectations.
The Falcons declared that the hiring of a new head coach will begin “immediately,” adding, “We have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”
Miami Gardens, Florida, January 7, 2024: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills rushes the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Image via Getty Images/Megan Briggs)
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In January 2021, Smith was named head coach of the Falcons. During his tenure, the team used the draft to add offensive firepower, selecting running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts all inside the top 10 in three consecutive years.
Even with their young, talented roster, Atlanta’s seasons were never very exciting. Due to his struggles, Desmond Ridder, a second-year quarterback, was benched for Taylor Heinicke halfway through the season as the Falcons were unable to gain momentum.
This season, the Falcons have dropped four of their last five games, including a devastating defeat in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers, who had the worst record in the league.
Fans also regularly criticized Smith for their perceived mistreatment of Robinson, especially on social media.
The Falcons’ lopsided loss to the Saints means they will have the eighth overall pick in the draft for the third straight year, which will highlight Smith’s lack of progress in the offseason.
Given the controversy surrounding the game’s conclusion, Sunday’s loss gave rise to one of Smith’s most memorable pictures with Atlanta.
With just over a minute remaining, the Saints went into victory formation to finish the game, with New Orleans comfortably winning and the Falcons resigned to yet another missed postseason.
But instead of taking a knee to let the clock run out as is customary, Jamaal Williams, the running back, received the ball. Williams had not scored any touchdowns this season going into Sunday’s game. After the extra point was kicked, Williams charged into the end zone, much to the annoyance of the Falcons, making the score 48-17 in favor of the Saints.
An obviously angry After the game, Smith confronted Dennis Allen, the head coach of New Orleans, expressing his rage that the Saints had chosen to run up the score rather than take a knee.
