With the 2023-24 regular season officially over, the Falcons are, once again, done playing games before the new year. The 2023 season was an excruciating watch for Falcons fans across the country with yet another mediocre 7-10 season. While the Falcons have more than enough talent to compete for a playoff berth in the weakest division in the NFL, they continue to fail to meet expectations and fall short of fans quickly falling expectations year after year. This painful mediocrity has become standard practice for the organization since the heartbreak of their famous choke job in Super Bowl 51, returning to the playoffs only once since 2016. Now, with the official firing of head coach Arthur Smith, the future for the Dirty Birds looks better than ever.
For the Falcon’s entire history, the organization has seen nothing but mediocrity. Outside of two super bowl berths in 1998 and 2016, the Falcons have remained squarely in limbo for the majority of their 58-year history. With an all-time record of 390 wins, 503 losses, and 6 ties, the Falcons do not come close to the success of most of the other teams in the NFL. This painful averageness has been epitomized by the last 6 seasons of monotonous Falcons Football. Ever since the highs of back-to-back playoff berths in 2016 and 2017 which included a Superbowl appearance, the Falcons have flown back down to earth. The Falcons secured seven wins in five of their last six seasons and in that sixth season they won a measly four games and saw the firing of former head coach Dan Quinn. Fans thought that the end of his tenure and the hiring of Arthur Smith would bring winning ways back to the ATL. Yet Smith never managed to meet those expectations going 7-10 in every season of his tenure. “I expected so much more from Arther Smith,” said sophomore Brian Whittenton, “Every week was disappointment after disappointment, but I am excited for the team’s future.”
Typically, coaching transitions in the NFL are times of turmoil and uncertainty for struggling teams with these teams often lacking sufficient talent to compete for playoff spots. However, for this Falcons squad, this could not be farther from the truth. One of Arthur Smith’s major criticisms was his ability to make our top draft picks almost completely useless, often misusing or completely ignoring many of his top offensive weapons. Now, with him gone, star tight end and former top five pick Kyle Pitts looks to finally break out of the bonds that have been holding him back under smith. Other young offensive stars like third year receiver Drake London and third year running back Tyler Allgeier look to make massive leaps as well. On the defensive side, star defensive backs AJ Terrell and Jessie Bates shut down opposing receivers and veteran defensive linemen Bud Dupree and David Onyemata put pressure on every offense they faced. Despite all of this talent, one massive question remains. Can the Falcons find a quarterback to elevate this roster to playoff status? With the draft upcoming, many believe they can. The 2024 class is loaded with talent at the position and includes Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and championship runner up Michael Penix. “I am praying we get a good QB in the draft,” said senior Charles Ray, “I think we are only missing a good QB to be a solid contender.”
With rumors circulating about who will be the next head coach of the Falcons, countless notable names have been thrown into the fray. From Jim Harbough to Bill Belichick, fans wait with anticipation as decision day draws ever closer. And for the Falcon’s organization, the uncertain has never looked more certain.
