Earlier this week, a report named Arthur Smith as one of the coaches contacted by the Jets as part of their efforts to add a veteran offensive coach to oversee Nathaniel Hackett. Smith did not end up joining New York’s staff, though, ultimately being hired by the Steelers as their offensive coordinator. 
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk confirms communication did indeed take place between Smith and the Jets. The 42-year-old was not interested in the opportunity, he adds. Smith’s hesitation to join Robert Saleh‘s staff stemmed in part from uncertainty regarding what his role would be, per Florio.
In the wake of the 2023 season, it was learned Saleh explored moves which would limit Hackett’s authority over the Jets’ offense. A subsequent report confirmed New York looked into hiring a coach who would outrank Hackett and thus serve as de facto OC. Smith was a target in that regard following the end of his Falcons head coaching tenure, but Florio notes his preference was the Pittsburgh offensive coordinator gig.
No other teams met with Smith prior to his Steelers hire, one which will see him return to coordinator duties for the first time since 2020. He guided the Titans’ run-first offense for two seasons, and his success in that regard put him on the head coaching track. Three straight 7-10 campaigns in Atlanta will likely leave Smith waiting for another opportunity in that regard, but in the meantime he will turn his attention to guiding Pittsburgh’s offense – a unit which is expected to rely heavily on the run game.
Scrutiny will remain high, meanwhile, as it pertains to Hackett and the Jets. The 44-year-old had a disastrous head coaching spell in Denver before his New York hire. Aaron Rodgers‘ Week 1 Achilles tear hindered the team’s offense, but improvements on that side of the ball in 2024 will likely be needed for Hackett (along with, potentially, Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas) to remain in place beyond the coming season. Without a supervisor being hired, Hackett will once again have the reins of the Jets’ offense in the absence of Smith – or a staffer of similar experience – overseeing him.
Why would you take a job babysitting an OC when you can get a job as an OC?
Exactly. That’s on Saleh for even asking if any established OC wants to babysit Hackett.
I mean, if they can’t just 86 Hackett for Rodgers reasons, I think it makes sense. It’s just not the most enticing offer.
Not only that, it would be for a HC who is gone if they have a bad year and a QB who might retire. With the Steelers he doesn’t have that HC worry.
When the season starts to circle the drain it’s the OC that is made the “fall guy”…not the babysitter.
Everyone knows Aaron is calling the plays, not some OC puppet.
That dude was such a spectacular flame out as HC its a wonder the Jets hired him as OC at all, so in a way this development is unsurprising?
I’m glad to see Smith in Pittsburgh, as it will be interesting to see what he can do with that QB situation – as Wilson is likely as difficult to deal with as Rodgers.
Smith is a coach who runs his own distinct style of offense, who has been a head coach, and who has had success as a coordinator in the past. I don’t see why it would be surprising that he’d like to work under another coordinator, no less one who has had less than spectacular results.
Plus, he has a quarterback with a powerful voice who would have say in whatever they devised. It was a good try by the Jets, but I can’t see why it would gave worked.
Assistant to the offensive coordinator.
(dwight gif)