“Black Monday” has arrived in the NFL. With the 18-week regular season ending Sunday, several head coaches around the NFL could be seeking new employment opportunities, hirings that will effect the Georgia sports betting scene ahead of next season.
One of those coaches, Arthur Smith of the Atlanta Falcons, received his notice at the stroke of midnight after a meeting with Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank and the team's CEO, Rich McKay following their season-ending road loss to NFC South rival the New Orleans Saints.
Smith became Atlanta’s head coach on Jan. 15, 2021, and led the team for three seasons. During his tenure, the Falcons finished 7-10 in each season and finished his tenure in Atlanta with an overall record of 21-30. In other words, the Falcons playoff chances simply never took off under Smith.
Now the search has begun for a new leader at the helm, but who will it be? BetGeorgia.com compiled new hire probable odds for the Falcons. Here are the results.
Who Will Be Next Falcons Coach?
Bieniemy Of Interest, But Could Blank Land Belichick?
With the Washington Commanders announcing earlier this morning that they have fired head coach Ron Rivera, current offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy could be in line for the head position in D.C., but for now tops our list as the favorite for the Falcons gig at +500 (16.7% chance).
Current Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan could be in line for his first head coaching job and is second on the list with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris at +700 (12.5%). Callahan certainly has paid his dues during 14 seasons in the NFL, including his fifth in Cincy. Morris, who is preparing the Rams for their Wild-Card Playoff matchup as the sixth seed at the third-seeded Detroit Lions on Sunday, Jan. 14 (NBC, 8 p.m.), previously served as head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-11) and has familiarity with Atlanta after being the interim head coach for the Falcons (2020).
Other candidates include Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator +900 (10%), Bobby Slowik, Texans Offensive Coordinator +900 (10%), Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator +1000 (9.1%), Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh +1200 (7.7%) and of course Bill Belichick, New England Patriots Head Coach +1200 (7.7%).
Belichick is expected to meet with Patriots owner Robert Kraft to discuss his future in New England early this week. This morning, Diana Russini, Senior NFL Insider for The Athletic, tweeted that the Atlanta Falcons are a team to watch if Belichick is available and are interested in his services per sources.
Other coaches not on the list are +400 (20%).
