Atlanta Falcons who must perform over final three games to keep their jobs
The Atlanta Falcons are fighting for their lives over the final three weeks of the season. After dropping another game to a one-win team, they still somehow have a shot at the playoffs—they just need to win-out
But on a smaller scale, there are plenty of parties who are fighting to keep their jobs for the future. These coaches and players have to come up big in the final three games if they want to find themselves on the team next September.
That all starts with a couple of receivers who need to figure things out if they want to re-sign with the team for next season.
1. Scotty Miller
This was supposed to be the burner of the Atlanta Falcons offense. Instead, he has been an afterthought.
While he hasn't had much help from his coaches or his quarterbacks, he hasn't been good this season. He has only made one big play and that came against his former team in week seven. Outside of that, he has been a non-factor.
He isn't under contract for next season and there is zero reason to think that will change if he doesn't make a big impact in the final three games.
2. Van Jefferson
Speaking of not performing, Van Jefferson has done absolutely nothing since he was traded for a couple of months ago. This has been another trade that has blown up in the faces of the Atlanta Falcons.
Jefferson's most memorable moment with the Falcons came on a dropped fourth-down catch against the Tennessee Titans. Or it might have been last week when he wasn't able to catch up to a deep pass because of a defensive pass interference that wasn't called.
Safe to say, it has been a bad time in Atlanta. It is rough because the Falcons traded back a round to pick him up from the Rams, so there is future penalty for acquiring this wide receiver.
Jefferson isn't only fighting for his job in Atlanta but also for his job in the NFL.
3. Taylor Heinicke
Taylor Heinicke isn't going to be the starting quarterback of the 2024 Atlanta Falcons, but he could be the backup of the 2024 Atlanta Falcons if he has a few decent games over the final few games.
The Falcons have him under contract for another year but they also have a way out of his contract with little penalty. If Heinicke doesn't improve from the last time we saw him then we will be looking for two new quarterbacks going into the 2024 season.
This is also another 'fighting for your NFL career' scenarios. Heinicke needs to prove why he can be a valuable backup for an NFL team.
4. Arthur Smith and his entire offensive staff
Arthur Smith is the first name that pops in anyones mind when you talk about jobs on the line. He is fighting for his life as he tries to prove to owner Arthur Blank that he is the right guy for the job.
It has not been anywhere close to good enough for Smith. His specialty is offense and the offense has been the major weak link of the 2023 Atlanta Falcons. It has been ugly to watch.
Getting this team to the playoffs has to be his goal and that would essentially require his team to go 3-0 over the final three weeks. That also means his offense needs to score more than seven points in a game. Smith is fighting an uphill battle and there is no reason to think that he and his offensive staff won't be looking for a new jobs in January.
5. Jeff Okudah
Early impressions of former fourth-overall pick Jeff Okudah were glowing. It finally seemed like the Atlanta Falcons had found someone to pair with superstar A.J. Terrell.
But things have fallen fast for Okudah. He was benched this past Sunday for rookie Clark Phillips, although he ended the game on the field for the defense. It will be interesting to see how those two players are used over these three games.
Okudah needs to get back to how he was playing early in the season if he wants to end up back in Atlanta next season.
6. Richie Grant
Things have gone South for safety Richie Grant. After being the Atlanta Falcons' leader in defensive snaps for the first fraction of the season, Grant has been benched for rookie DeMarcco Hellams.
Grant has been awful for much of the season. Whether it has been blown coverage, blown tackles, or being called out by an opposing tight end for being terrible, Grant has seen it all this season.
The former second-round pick appears to be headed to the 'bust' category. While he won't be cut during the offseason, barring anything unforeseen, he won't be finding himself on the field to start next season.
Richie Grant needs to prove that he can be a positive on this soaring defense by playing well with the limited snaps he will be given in the final three games.