Falcons sign FB Keith Smith to 3-year extension

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Saturday that the team has agreed to terms with fullback Keith Smith on a three-year contract extension.

Smith signed with the Falcons last year and played in all 16 games. He played 196 snaps for Atlanta in 2019, and had five rushes for 8 yards, both career highs. Smith joined the Falcons after spending time with the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders.

The Falcons have a proven, quality blocker in Keith Smith, but there was only so much he could do for Atlanta’s struggling run game last year. The Falcons finished the 2019 season with the third-fewest rushing yards per game and went without a 100-yard rusher for the season for the first time since 2013, when Dirk Koetter was also the offensive coordinator. Heading into free agency, we sure aren’t sure if Devonta Freeman will depart or the Falcons will keep him, but regardless of who is in the backfield, Smith will be present to block for them.