Arthur Smith‘s name came up about coordinator jobs this week, though no teams were tied to the three-year Falcons HC just yet. At least one is now.
The Steelers will meet with Smith about their OC opening Sunday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. This marks Smith’s first connection to a team since the Falcons began Black Monday — at 12:01am ET — by firing him. Pittsburgh just saw Smith’s most recent employer interfere with its OC search, and Mike Tomlin will soon gauge the veteran play-caller’s fit for his team. The Steelers are preparing to hire an OC from outside the organization; they have only done this once (Todd Haley, 2012) this century.
Zac Robinson received a Steelers OC interview request, but he has instead committed to the Falcons. When Atlanta chose Raheem Morris over Bill Belichick, an immediate connection linked Robinson to following his recent Rams coworker to Georgia. That came to fruition, with the Falcons hiring the popular OC candidate. The Steelers have also interviewed Panthers OC Thomas Brown and Texans QBs coach Jerrod Johnson.
While Smith’s stock has dropped since he moved to the hot seat in Atlanta, it is not long ago he was an in-demand HC candidate. Essentially the 2021 coaching carousel’s Ben Johnson equivalent, Smith chose the Falcons. He was unable to turn the team around, but even as Atlanta conducted a rebuild effort, Smith immediately had the team at 7-10 in back-to-back seasons despite dead money piling up. The 7-10 mark the Falcons posted in 2023 looked a bit different, considering what they had invested in the team by this point. Two ugly losses — to the Bears and Saints — prompted the Falcons to fire Smith.
Smith, 41, has worked as an NFL play-caller for the past five seasons. His two-year run as Titans OC, replacing Matt LaFleur, commanded extensive interest. The Titans journeyed to the 2019 AFC championship game, re-routing their season after a 2-4 start. Smith was given appropriate credit for reviving Ryan Tannehill‘s career. Tannehill’s 9.6 yards per attempt that season remains tied for eighth all time; only Kurt Warner has bettered that mark in a season since the 1950s. Smith also unleashed Derrick Henry, with both of the bulldozing running back’s rushing titles coming during Smith’s Tennessee play-calling tenure.
The Falcons boasted the NFL’s No. 3-ranked rushing offense in 2022, largely under Marcus Mariota, but struggled consistently to pass during Mariota and Desmond Ridder‘s seasons as the primary quarterback. The Falcons ranked 26th in scoring offense this season. Considering the Steelers are again centering an offseason around Kenny Pickett development, Smith’s recent past with QBs is notable. Given Smith’s experience, however, it would surprise if he did not receive a second chance as a coordinator.
Don’t let him out the building without his signature on a contract
You’ve clearly never watched a Falcons game…if you like trick plays and using your best talent as decoys, he’s your guy.
Clearly watched alot of Titan games with Henry & Tannehill I don’t care what he did with the Falcons they were a total rebuild with salary cap hell
He was doomed to fail
His last year calling plays he had them 4th on offense with Tannehill as the QB
Some coaches not meant to be head coaches
Some coaches peaks are as coordinators
Yes, I actually agree. Considering how good Harris looked running downhill in a traditional power scheme, and the status of the more agile Warren as a second back, you’d think that Smith’s Titans era power scheme would be a good fit for the Steelers’ current personnel. Either Pickett or Rudolph would probably benefit a lot from a strong play-action focused offense. The Steelers would still need a few more offensive line pieces, but I don’t think that Smith would be an outlandish hire.
I don’t understand how or why people throw away years of history for coaches and players. In 3 years, Smith didn’t build anything; 7-10 all 3 years. That’s not progress. Everyone knew year 1 was going to be harsh, but what the last 2 years? And yes, he never used his superstars- on offense no less- very well.
People are talking up Ron R as a DC again, why? His D’s in DC were average at best and they used non-stop 1st’s on D.
Same for Bill. We knew the 1st year w/o Tom would be tough. Bad cap, replacing a legend etc. But NE progressively got worse the next 3 years.
So sign him in Pit, be 10-7 again and lose in the 1st round again.
Agree with most of what you say about the coaching merry go round but not where ‘sign him and go 10-7’ line is concerned
Look, he can’t be worse than what they’ve had in the past few years. And truth is, this team has so many holes that if they do very little to upgrade, 10-7 would be something of a godsend
What’s disturbing about this guy is that he’s largely dealt with the same type of QB mess in Atlanta and has not been able to develop a QB there. Granted, he’s head coach but again, his background has been offense and let’s face it, the head coach oversees everything
I can’t imagine anyone other than a top flight offensive coordinator or quarterback coach coming in and getting better play out of Pickett. To me, he is what he is and more pointedly, those kinds of coaches don’t opt to come here
I used the 10-7 line because Mike T. has never had a losing season. So the odds of him being above .500 next year are strong. But he also hasn’t won a playoff game 6-7 years, something like that.
Pitt needs new ideas on offense, not what Arthur brings to the table. He ran Henry, like he should have. But then refused to run his own hand pick #8 pick RB last year in Atalanta, why? I understand the point to the interview; maybe he pans out a running game coach, or O Line coach, but not as OC again. He needs to re-prove himself.
Agreed and again, I’m not sure how bringing in a guy who had the same type of QB mess in Atlanta—and couldn’t get competent, consistent play from a number of young guys trying to prove themselves—translates here. It’s literally the same situation
I’m at a loss to see how ground power becomes the theme when defenses have no respect for your QB’s ability to throw middle to deep passes
We’ve seen what happens already over Pickett’s starts
Fresh ideas. Fresh personnel. Otherwise, it’s more of the same struggles to sneak into the playoffs for one game
There is a huge difference between being a HC & a Coordinator & just because a guy is a great coordinator isn’t gonna make them a great HC I don’t even know if I would say Smith is a great coordinator at this point but out of the guys being talked about he has the most experienced.
With Tomlin being a defensive guy I want an experienced OC and not an assistant taking a step up we been there done that with coach Randy & Canada.
Smith has experience in a system that works to the strengths of what the Steelers have on offense.
Derrick Henry shined in his style of power running and I feel Najee could do the same
He brought the best out of Tannehill & I think he could do the same for either Pickett or Mason if they decide to retain him.
I personally wouldn’t and would bring in Tannehill on a cheap deal knowing he is there to back up Kenny & let him help in Kenny’s development. If he isn’t developing like you hope you got Tannehill to step in playing in the system he has had the most success in. And then draft a QB in 25 that Smith feels can run his offense.
He has also been a TE coach & a Oline coach so I know focus on developing the line will be imperative. He also is a disciple of Wisenhunt who is probably my favorite OC the Steelers have had.
Madden’s “Hot Take” in today’s Trib pretty much surmises the idea that Smith is likely the embodiment of what a Tomlin NFL offense should look like. But again, whoever becomes OC inherits a kid at QB who is not the answer here
Maybe they’ll bring in Russell Wilson on the cheap and let Kenny “learn” while he pouts for a couple seasons. They’d get him on the cheap. Maybe they’ll spend for a gunslinger like Cousins but it’s not likely
There aren’t many QB’s left in the NFL who can approach what you see starting currently in the AFC, let alone the North
But it all starts with Tomlin. If he’s intent on sticking with Pickett as it appears, it won’t matter who they bring in. (And anyone who thinks the head coach doesn’t have a huge hand in the offense—whether his background was in defense or not—is delusional. Like any HC, Tomlin will set the tone and dictate game strategies)
I’m so tired about Tomlins, NEVER HAVING A LOSING SEASON. If rooney is OK with that, then the once great steeler franchise of 50 years is in trouble. Tomlin has too much power in major decisions. They need a younger OC. And the longer they wait, the field narrows. Now I find in completely absurd that they would even entertain the thought of interviewing a Carolina OC. LOOKS LIKE TOMLIN DOESNT WANT COMPETITION IN HIS FUTURE WITh THE STEELERS
Go to ESPN and have a good laugh as you read the interview with Rooney
They’re tired of losing in the playoffs and are aiming to correct it
Look, you have to have personnel in place for such comments first and foremost. To read Rooney falling all over himself about Pickett is funny. Is he watching the games?
Have you heard Aditi ?
She says personnel around the league she has contacts with all day Pickett is fixable. That he is the least of the Steelers problems and any OC worth anything could fix him.
I don’t know how you feel about her reporting but I guess we will find out cause Menny ain’t going anywhere any time soon.
But everyone in here already knows you are the greatest talent evaluator since Lombardi himself
And you’re like flies at a picnic. An annoyance but with some overblown sense of self importance. Your views, whether about baseball or football, bring condescension one would normally find in a bowling alley
I like Aditi. And here’s a prediction: one year from now, you’ll be patting yourself on the back, saying, “Well, I gave him a chance but he was a bust” with regards to Pickett
Only, you won’t say it here because truly, the only arrogant know-it-all in the house is you
Arrogant know it all lol
Funny dude
I am the guy who says he doesn’t know what Kenny is yet & deserves a shot with a real OC
Guess what this the Steelers you are talking about
Kirk Cousins is a pipe dream they will never sign him
Russel Wilson is not coming here he is getting paid by Denver regardless it will be his choice if he goes to another team whatever team he plays for will be paying him league minimum Denver pays the rest why would Ciara wanna come to Pittsburgh ????
They are $17 million over the cap with major holes all over the roster the only option there is is Kenny & re-sign Mason or bring in whoever the OC is gonna be a guy who knows his system and comes with him
Know it all or reality take your pick but either way that’s what we are getting next year