Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan weighs in on Atlanta’s potential interest in Bill Belichick

Atlanta Falcons fans would likely have mixed feelings about Bill Belichick taking over the organization after his stunning defeat of the team in the Super Bowl in 2017 – Matt Ryan certainly does. The Falcons quarterback-turned-CBS analyst discussed the possibility of Belichick becoming the team’s next head coach ahead of Sunday’s Wild Card matchups.

“Here’s the thing, there’s a lot of baggage that comes with that because of the Super Bowl,” Ryan said. “It’s an awkward thing. But if you look at the organization, the owner, Arthur Blank, getting older and anxious to win right now. And you look at the roster… they’re built to win right now. The defense plays good football, they’ve got an excellent offensive line, and good skill positions, but they’ve got to figure out the quarterback.

“I think Bill Belichick makes sense if they get a veteran guy. If you’re drafting young, then you go with a younger coach, someone who’s going to be there longer. But if you’re getting a veteran guy, then I think he makes sense in Atlanta.”

Among the most notable insiders to call the Falcons the favorite to land Belichick are ESPN’s Adam Schefter and CBS’ Jonathan Jones.

“If we think of Arthur Blank in his later years, desperately wanting to win while he can. There aren’t many coaches that have swung harder. He has taken some big swings at other high-profile head coaches in the past,” Schefter shared this week. “Blank once pursued, but didn’t land, Joe Gibbs. He once pursued, but didn’t land, Bill Parcells. Now the Falcons have a head coach opening, and Bill Belichick is a free agent.”

Falcons part ways with Arthur Smith after 3 seasons

The Atlanta Falcons chose to part ways with head coach Arthur Smith after three seasons. Following the team’s 48-17 loss on Sunday, the Falcons fired Smith. The Falcons finished the year with a 7-10 record for the third consecutive season.

Atlanta started Smith’s third season off with wins against the Panthers and Packers, but dropped the next two against the Lions and Jaguars. The team found little consistency and flip-flopped between quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. After losing three consecutive games against the Titans, Vikings and Cardinals in the middle of the season, they ended the year with three wins and four losses.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank confirmed the team will retain general manager Terry Fontenot, who will provide input in the search for the next coach. The search is now being led by Blank and team CEO Rich McKay.