Though the comment came in passing, former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi gave Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith a ringing endorsement. Weighing in on the 2024 Atlanta Falcons on Monday’s episode of his The GM Shuffle podcast, Lombardi refuted the idea Smith should be viewed as a scapegoat for why the Falcons’ offense struggled under his tenure.
“You can say Arthur Smith is not a good coach,” Lombardi told guest Chris Simms. “You’re full of shit if you say it. The guy is a really good offensive coach.”
Lombardi and Simms then discussed the concern over the Falcons’ lack of team speed heading into the new year under head coach Raheem Morris.