Steelers Hiring Arthur Smith Would Be A Successful Move According To Arthur Moats

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator, and one name that has recently surfaced in discussions is former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith. While the news of Smith's interview with the Steelers may have raised eyebrows among fans, it's essential to take a closer look at his qualifications and what he could bring to the team. 

Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats believes that hiring Smith could be a very successful move for the franchise. He highlighted the significance of welcoming a former head coach into your organization as a coordinator, emphasizing that such opportunities should be met with excitement and enthusiasm.

Steelers Hiring Smith Would Be Awesome 

Smith's coaching career had a rocky start during his tenure as the head coach of the Falcons, where the team posted a 21-30 record over three seasons. While his time in Atlanta was marked by challenges and struggles, it's crucial to remember the accomplishments that earned him the head coaching job in the first place.

Moats shared his thoughts on Smith's potential as the Steelers' offensive coordinator in a video posted on his YouTube channel. Moats urged Steeler Nation not to dwell on Smith's stint with the Falcons, but rather, to focus on his impressive track record as the offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.

Moats pointed out that under Smith's guidance, the Titans achieved significant success, particularly in their ground game. The Titans became known for their physical style of play, with star running back Derrick Henry enjoying some of his most productive seasons during Smith's tenure.

“We really saw the Titans have a lot of success both you know through the ground. They were really a physical team. You talk about Derrick Henry also coming along and having some of his most productive seasons. That’s when Arthur Smith was down there man.”

Moats emphasized that Smith's coaching approach in Tennessee aligns with what the Steelers need. 

“Going back to that Tennessee Titans' approach. It was physical. It was a big body personnel group. Using a lot of tight ends and ultimately having a strong physical approach, but still implement play action pass. So when we think about our offense right now and some of the personnel it does follow suit.”

Moats believes that Smith checks all the boxes outlined by Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin in his search for an offensive coordinator. Smith brings a wealth of experience as a veteran offensive coordinator with a deep understanding of the league and a track record of success, including postseason accomplishments. All of these traits are specifics that Tomlin openly said the Steelers were looking for in their next offensive coordinator hire. 

While Smith's time as the head coach of the Falcons may not have yielded the desired results, his history as the offensive coordinator with the Titans showcases his coaching prowess. 

Smith carved out an impressive career trajectory during his time with the Titans, consistently showing improvement year after year. This progress culminated in his appointment as the offensive coordinator for the 2019-2020 season. In his inaugural year as offensive coordinator, Smith orchestrated the highest-scoring Titans team in 16 years. 

His skillful play-calling played a pivotal role in the outstanding performances of key players like Henry, Ryan Tannehill and Jonnu Smith, who all experienced career-defining seasons. Notably, Smith received accolades for his strategic decisions in the Titans' remarkable 28-12 victory over the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round. Smith has had postseason success, a feat that has eluded the Steelers since the 2016 season. 

Moats passionately supports the idea of Smith becoming the Steelers' offensive coordinator in 2024, believing that his approach and experience align well with the team's needs. As the Steelers weigh their options, it's clear that Smith's candidacy should not be dismissed lightly, and his potential to lead the Steelers' offense should be seriously considered.

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