After the Jets and Jaguars hired new coaches on Thursday, it looks like the Falcons could join them soon.
According to ESPN’s Dianna RussiniAtlanta made an offer to the Titans’ offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, to become the next head coach.
Smith would replace Dan Quinn, who was fired in October after the team’s 0-5 start. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris served as the Falcons’ interim coach for the rest of the season and led the club in their only wins in the 4-12 season.
Lions and Eagles were also interested in Smith for his vacancies as a head coach, but according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Smith’s trip to Detroit is canceled.
Smith, 38, joined the Titans in 2011 as a defensive quality control technician and played a variety of roles on his technical team. Under Smith, Tennessee ranked fourth in the NFL score during the regular season of 2020, averaging 30.7 points per game.
Check out the latest news and rumors about the NFL:
- The conditional reinstatement of Seattle wide receiver Josh Gordon has been terminated and will be suspended indefinitely. (Tom Pelissero, NFL Network)
- Ryan Stamper, Ohio State’s assistant director of athletics and player development, is leaving the Buckeyes to join Urban Meyer and the Jaguars. Stamper has been with Ohio State since Meyer’s first season in Columbus in 2012. (Bill Rabinowitz, The Dispatch)
- Former Texas and USF coach Charlie Strong will join Urban Meyer’s Jaguars team and will likely serve as LB Jacksonville coach. (Brett McMurphy, Stadium)
- Saints assistant coach and close game coach Dan Campbell has emerged as a favorite of Lions head coach. (Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, NFL Network)
- Former Chargers coach Anthony Lynn spoke with Pete Carroll about the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator job. (Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
- Lions will interview DC buccaneers Todd Bowles on Friday. Bowles also spent time talking to the Falcons. (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
- The Jaguars hired former Florida and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer as their next coach on Thursday. Meyer never trained in the NFL before joining Jacksonville. (Team announcement)
- The Jets signed 49ers DC Robert Saleh as their new coach on Thursday, and he will receive a five-year contract. (Team announcement)
- The Panthers hired Scott Fitterer to be the new general manager of the franchise on Thursday. Fitterer has been with the Seahawks since 2001 and, more recently, was the team’s vice president of football operations. (Team announcement)