After finishing the 2019 season on a 6-2 run, the Falcons were expecting big things in 2020. However, the team was never able to recover from an 0-5 start and parted ways with both head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Atlanta went on to to finish the season with a 4-12 record, putting them in last place within the NFC South. Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus ranked the eight teams to finish last in 2021 by how likely each is to go from worst to first. Linsey slated the Falcons as the second-most likely to make the jump next year.
“Atlanta will be hopeful new head coach Arthur Smith is able to bring over some of the magic he worked in Tennessee, as well. Only the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers have recorded more expected points added per play than Tennessee since Smith took over as the offensive coordinator in 2019. Add in Dean Pees out of retirement at defensive coordinator, and there are reasons to be excited about this new-look coaching staff.”
The addition of head coach Arthur Smith has many experts predicting a resurgence in the production of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. The Falcons have already strongly denied all claims that they would consider moving either player.
Atlanta’s biggest question marks are along the defensive perimeter and at running back. Arthur Blank even addressed how the team needs to establish a solid running game in order to win in 2021.
#Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the biggest problem is at running back. pic.twitter.com/dmIww82Eek
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) February 4, 2021
“I don’t think our biggest challenge is going to be in the receiving room,” said Blank. “I think we have to establish a running game again.”
Currently, the Falcons only have Ito Smith on the active roster from 2020. Both Brian Hill and Todd Gurley will be free agents on March 17.
In addition to a new coaching staff, the Saints are expected to take a back seat this season with the retirement of Drew Brees and their massive cap overages. However, the Falcons will have to compete with a resurgent Panthers team and the defending Super Bowl-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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