In a shocking turn of events, Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's job security is now in doubt as reports suggest that he may be losing the support of the team's locker room. This development comes after a series of disappointing performances and a recent loss to the struggling Carolina Panthers.

Prior to the Falcons' Week 14 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jeremy Fowler reported that Smith would only face dismissal after the 2023 season if there was a "late season collapse" for the team. While the Falcons had a chance to establish dominance in their division against the Buccaneers, they squandered the opportunity. Despite this setback, the Falcons' playoff hopes were still alive.

However, a decisive win against the 1-12 Panthers was crucial for the team to stay in the postseason race. Unfortunately, the Falcons faltered and were defeated by Carolina, a team that failed to score a single touchdown during the game. This loss effectively dashed the Falcons' hopes of reaching the playoffs and led to speculation about whether it was a part of a "late season collapse."

The disappointing performance prompted the benching of quarterback Desmond Ridder, casting further uncertainty on Smith's coaching abilities. Fans and critics alike began questioning what would constitute a "late season collapse" if losing to the worst team in football and crushing their postseason aspirations did not fit the bill.

In Week 16, the Falcons bounced back with an impressive 29-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Following the win, reports began circulating that team owner Arthur Blank was likely to retain Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot for the 2024 season. However, Smith's team once again regressed in the following week, delivering a lackluster performance against the Chicago Bears, reigniting calls for Smith's dismissal.

An alarming sign for Smith is the retweet by Cordarrelle Patterson, one of the highly respected veterans in the Falcons locker room. Patterson shared a post that expressed frustration over Smith's failure to utilize him creatively and listed him as "Joker" on the depth chart. Patterson's retweet questioned whether he should feel happy about the situation, further fueling speculation about the discord within the team.

While it was initially believed that Smith's strong rapport with the players and the team's struggles at the quarterback position might protect his job, recent events have raised doubts about his ability to maintain the locker room's support. The Falcons' inconsistent performances throughout the season have left many questioning Smith's coaching acumen and decision-making.

As the 2023 season comes to a close, the fate of Arthur Smith hangs in the balance. The upcoming games will be crucial not only for the Falcons' future but also for Smith's tenure as the head coach. Only time will tell if he can turn the tide and regain the confidence of the locker room or whether he faces an uncertain future in Atlanta.