The Pittsburgh Steelers are still desperately searching for the man that can fix their offense and make them a true threat again. The Steelers are primarily looking for experience, and that is exactly what they would be getting with their new candidate. Tom Pelissero reported that the Steelers will be interviewing Arthur Smith for their vacant position. Smith was previously the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, and before that, the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans for two years. He has had some ups and downs, but how would that translate in Pittsburgh?
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Steelers RB Najee Harris runs over an Atlanta Falcons defender in Week 3 of the 2023 preseason
Steelers Might See Some Red Flags In Smith
Smith had a rough tenure with the Falcons, going 7-10 in each of his three seasons with the team. He was best known for failing to utilize the high-end prospects that the team had drafted during his time in Atlanta. That alleged misuse led to the Falcons being unable to make any sort of improvements on a year-to-year basis.
Former #Falcons coach Arthur Smith is interviewing today for the #Steelers offensive coordinator job, per sources. pic.twitter.com/45dlcX2QV2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 28, 2024
He was fired pretty much right after the season concluded, after complaining about a garbage-time touchdown in his final game as head coach. Now, he is looking to rebound and prove to the world that he can learn and adapt. He wants to prove to everyone that he can still be a good coach, and maybe get another head coaching opportunity in a future cycle. Pittsburgh might be the right place to do that.
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Tennessee Titans running back, Derrick Henry (#22) carries the football during an NFL matchup.
Steelers Might Have A True Gem At OC
Smith might have struggled as a head coach, but the Titans were at their best when he was the offensive coordinator. Derrick Henry had his two best seasons under Smith, including a 2020 season where he ran for over 2,000 yards. Henry only had one other season where he was remotely close to reaching the impact that he had that he had under Smith.
The elite run game and complementary pass game was key in their 2019 season. That kind of offense helped the Titans win back-to-back playoff games when they were heavy underdogs. Henry broke playoff record after playoff record in upset wins against the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens. Smith's hard-nose run offense was a key part in reaching the AFC Championship Game.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has been a welcome surprise in 2023 as well a productive compliment to Najee Harris
How Would Smith Work For Steelers?
Smith's style of offense could work perfectly for the Steelers. With the two-headed monster of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, the Steelers are built to run over opponents. Neither of them are as dynamic as Henry was, but they both were nightmares for opponents throughout the 2023 season. With Smith's style, it can get even better.
On top of that, Smith spent a lot of time as the Titans' tight end coach. The Steelers need to get their tight ends going after a disappointing 2023, so Smith could be a key factor in that as well. While the Steelers' quarterback room is still uncertain, they still have the pieces there for Smith's style of offense to thrive. At their best, the Steelers have a dominant run game with a complementary pass game, just like the Titans' offense that shocked the world.
What do you think about Arthur Smith? Would he be a good fit in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments.
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