The Monday after the NFL season usually contains a flurry of organizational changes across the league. However, some teams prefer to get a head start with their offseason business. On Sunday night, the Atlanta Falcons did just that as they fired head coach Arthur Smith, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Smith joined the Falcons prior to the 2021 NFL season. He was one of the hottest coaching candidates during that cycle. However, Atlanta struggled under the 41-year-old, as they posted a 21-30 record during his tenure. His tenure ended on the heels of a 48-17 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints.

An offensive mind, Smith came in with the idea that he'd help the team's offense flourish. The Falcons even spent three consecutive top-10 picks on offensive players. Atlanta's offense never took off, though. In 2023, they finished 17th in the league in yards per game. Furthermore, they finished with the seventh-fewest points per game.

Falcons owner comments on Arthur Smith firing

The Falcons released a statement from team owner Arthur Blank on Sunday night through the team's official website. He said the decision wasn't easy, nor did it feel good, but moving forward with new leadership was needed.

“We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years,” the Falcons owner said of Arthur Smith. “He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations.”

The team's press release noted that Blank, Falcons CEO Rich McKay, and general manager Terry Fontenot will lead the search for a new head coach. This search will begin immediately, though no timetable for hiring a new coach is known at this time.

Arthur Smith is the first head coach to be fired after the end of the 2023 NFL season. And it'll certainly be interesting to see which direction they take when picking his replacement this offseason.