According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the Atlanta Falcons have offered Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith the head coaching position.
Smith completed his second interview with the Falcons on Wednesday, and Atlanta moved swiftly to secure their man.
The Titans offense improved dramatically in Smith’s two years in charge, finishing third in total offense last season
The Titans rise to third in total offense was up from 12th in 2019, Smith’s first season as offensive coordinator. Tennessee finished 25th in total offense in 2018 before Smith took over.
Atlanta offering the head coach job to Smith comes on the heels of multiple reports and speculation that the general manager position is about to be filled by Terry Fontenot of the New Orleans Saints.
Logically, it makes sense that those reports are accurate and the Falcons are waiting on the Saints to conclude their season before announcing Fontenot as the new GM would have blessed the offer to Smith.
Smith’s run based philosophy will strike a chord with long time Falcons fans who were raised on power football with the likes of William Andrews, Gerald Riggs, Ironhead Craig Heyward, Jamal Anderson and more.
The Falcons inability to run the ball when it was most needed has been a key factor in several high profile losses as Atlanta couldn’t control the clock to hold on to a lead.
