Steelers Hiring Arthur Smith As Offensive Coordinator Could Lead To Signing Of Veteran Free Agent Quarterback Ryan Tannehill

The Pittsburgh Steelers took a different approach when it came to hiring a new offensive coordinator in 2024. For the first time since Todd Haley was brought in, the franchise was interviewing several external candidates for the job. It was reported on Tuesday that former Atlanta Falcons' Head Coach Arthur Smith will take over as Pittsburgh's new offensive coordinator. He didn't have a great three-year tenure in Atlanta, but was a very good play-caller when he was with the Tennessee Titans. He had a run-first approach, which is what Pittsburgh wants to have and has plenty of postseason experience.

It was a big decision and one that might lead to Kenny Pickett finally proving that he can be the starting quarterback going forward. The signal-caller position has more questions than the ones surrounding Pickett, however. Mason Rudolph earned himself some money and could leave in free agency, while Mitchell Trubisky is likely to be a cap casualty in order to save the team over $5 million.

It will be interesting to see what approach the Steelers take, and the new play-caller should have a lot of the say regarding Pickett's competition in 2024. If Rudolph is lost in free agency and Trubisky is designated as a post-June 1st release, there are several external options who will be available, as well as the 2024 NFL Draft that occurs at the end of April.

This brings up the interesting prospect of the Steelers doing what they can to sign veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill during free agency. He had the best season of his career back in 2020 when Smith was in charge of Tennessee's offense. The performance of the Titans that season is what resulted in him getting the nod as the head coach in Atlanta.

The idea of coming to Pittsburgh would be an attractive one for Tannehill. He's not expected to be a starter at this point in his career, but there aren't many more questionable quarterback situations like the ones the Steelers are dealing with. Depending on the draft, Tannehill would start training camp as the number two, but will always have an opportunity to be plugged in if Pickett struggles early in his third season.

Smith's downfall as the new guy in town is that he isn't known to be some sort of quarterback guru and that's what the Steelers might have needed to elevate the game of Pickett. One could argue, however, that establishing a dominant running game early in the season, which is what Smith was known for with Derrick Henry in Tennessee, would open up the play-action for Pickett and allow him to be more dynamic.

Tannehill arguably played his best two-season stretch of football with Smith as his offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020. The backup quarterback role was the reason the Steelers were able to sneak into the playoffs in 2023, and with Pickett's injury history early on in his career, it will be crucial to find a reliable second-string guy who can also push Pickett to be better. If Rudolph is signed elsewhere and Smith becomes the Steelers' offensive coordinator, Tannehill is a name to keep an eye on.

Steelers May Not Only Call Tannehill With Smith As New Offensive Coordinator

Mike Munchak, the highly regarded former offensive line coach for both Pittsburgh and Tennessee, has a history with Smith as well. Pat Meyer is expected to return in that role in 2024, but Smith could request a fresh staff with him ending up in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans would welcome Munchak back with open arms and Smith would immediately be in the good graces of Steeler Nation if he is the reason Mike Tomlin calls Munchak to bring him back to the Steel City.

Do you think Tannehill would be a good fit with the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!

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