Editing Atlanta Falcons (section)

==== Arthur Smith years (2021–2024) ====
On January 15, 2021, the Falcons announced that [[Tennessee Titans]] offensive coordinator [[Arthur Smith (American football, born 1982)|Arthur Smith]] had been named the 18th head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tabeek |first1=Matthew |last2=Haley |first2=Matt |date=January 16, 2021 |title=It's official: Falcons name Arthur Smith head coach |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-arthur-smith-agree-to-terms-to-be-head-coach |access-date=December 23, 2021 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Four days later, New Orleans Saints executive Terry Fontenot was named the Falcons' new general manager.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tabeek |first=Matthew |date=January 19, 2021 |title=Falcons name Terry Fontenot general manager |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-name-terry-fontenot-general-manager |access-date=December 23, 2021 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Tight end [[Kyle Pitts]] was selected with the 4th pick of the 2021 draft, and longtime star receiver Julio Jones was traded to the Titans, after publicly requesting a trade from Atlanta.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Kelsey |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Falcons draft tight end Kyle Pitts with No. 4 overall pick |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-draft-tight-end-kyle-pitts-with-no-4-overall-pick |access-date=December 23, 2021 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2021 |title=Atlanta Falcons trade Julio Jones to Tennessee Titans |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31577241/atlanta-falcons-expected-trade-julio-jones-tennessee-titans-next-24-48-hours-sources-say |access-date=December 23, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> The Falcons improved on their record from the prior year, finishing the season with a 7–10 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2021.htm |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On March 21, 2022, the Falcons traded longtime star quarterback Matt Ryan to the [[Indianapolis Colts]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bair |first=Scott |date=March 21, 2022 |title=Falcons trade Matt Ryan to Indianapolis Colts |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-trade-matt-ryan-to-indianapolis-colts |access-date=March 21, 2022 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}}</ref> During the 2022 season, the team finished last place in the NFC South with a 7–10 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2022.htm |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

The Falcons entered the 2023 seasons with heightened expectations after drafting [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] running back [[Bijan Robinson]] with the eighth overall pick of the [[2023 NFL draft|2023 draft]] and making significant improvements in free agency, including signing [[Jessie Bates]] and [[Calais Campbell]] to improve their defense.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flick |first=Daniel |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Calais OFFICIALLY Signs With Falcons to 'Surprise Some People!' |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/falcons/news/atlanta-falcons-official-sign-calais-campbell-free-agency-baltimore-ravens-surprise |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Atlanta Falcons News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref> However, the team finished with a 7–10 record for the third consecutive season, although they had been in contention for a playoff spot until the final day of the season before a 48–17 loss to the [[New Orleans Saints]] on January 7, 2024.<ref name="z604">{{Cite web |last=Vivlamore |first=Chris |date=2024-01-07 |title=How the day unfolded: Falcons eliminated from playoffs after drama-less day |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/how-the-day-unfolded-falcons-eliminated-from-playoffs-after-drama-less-day/UOVUPHSYEBENTAUB2ICCLGHXCQ/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref> The following day, Smith was fired after three years as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-08 |title=Atlanta Falcons part ways with head coach Arthur Smith |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/atlanta-falcons-part-ways-with-head-coach-arthur-smith |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}</ref>