Kinkhabwala: Steelers' George Pickens, Diontae Johnson Now Will Be Held Accountable With Arthur Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers sent shockwaves through the NFL community when they announced the appointment of Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. Smith, who previously served as the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, brings a wealth of experience and prior success as an offensive coordinator to the Steelers. 

However, some fans are still skeptical about this move, given his struggles as a head coach. Nonetheless, many experts and analysts believe that Smith's hiring is a smart and strategic move for the Steelers.

Steelers' New Hire Earns An Aditi Kinkhabwala Endorsement

Aditi Kinkhabwala, a respected NFL reporter for CBS, shared her enthusiastic endorsement of the Steelers' decision to bring Smith on board as their offensive coordinator. On Wednesday morning, she took to her social media account to express her thoughts on this significant move.

"Arthur Smith as Steelers OC is the right hire at the right time," Kinkhabwala proclaimed. "He will play to players' strengths, he is not a slave to any one scheme, he builds equity such that he can coach hard, he's confident enough to hold players accountable (looking at you, WRs) and he's SMART."

Kinkhabwala's endorsement underscores the optimism surrounding Smith's arrival in Pittsburgh. Her statement also hinted at one of the most intriguing aspects of Smith's tenure with the Steelers: his ability to hold players accountable, particularly in a position group that has been the source of much drama.

During the 2023 season, the Steelers found themselves in the midst of a drama-filled situation involving two immensely talented, but occasionally troubled wide receivers: Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Their on-field abilities were undeniable, but their off-field antics often overshadowed their contributions to the team. It was even reported that Pickens lost roughly $200,000 in fines this season by the NFL, and his own team, because of his behavior. 

Smith's reputation as a coach who won't tolerate disruptive behavior brings hope to Steelers fans who have witnessed their fair share of locker room distractions in recent years. Kinkhabwala's mention of Smith's ability to hold players accountable, especially Johnson and Pickens, has raised expectations about how the new offensive coordinator will address the challenges within the wide receiver room.

Smith's Track Record

While the exact methods Smith will employ to hold players accountable remain a mystery, his track record as an offensive coordinator and his experience as a head coach provide some insights into his approach. Smith's success with the Tennessee Titans demonstrated his ability to adapt and maximize his players' strengths.

One of the key elements of Smith's coaching philosophy is his flexibility. He doesn't adhere rigidly to a single offensive scheme, but tailors his strategies to the strengths of his personnel. This adaptability is likely to be an asset in handling the unique personalities and talents of Johnson and Pickens.

Moreover, Smith's reputation for building equity with his players means that he can coach them hard without causing resentment. Players respect him, and they understand that his accountability measures are designed to help the team succeed. This, in turn, enables Smith to address behavioral issues swiftly and effectively.

As the Steelers head into the 2024 season with Smith at the helm of their offense, all eyes will be on how he utilizes Pickens and Johnson within his new system. Smith's creative play-calling and emphasis on players' strengths could lead to exciting opportunities for both wide receivers.

Furthermore, Smith's ability to foster a culture of accountability may lead to improved on-field discipline from Johnson and Pickens. Steeler Nation will eagerly await the start of the season to witness the transformation of the wide receiver room and the impact it will have on the team's overall performance.

Smith's appointment as the Steelers' offensive coordinator has generated both excitement and intrigue. Kinkhabwala's endorsement highlights Smith's potential to address the accountability issues that have plagued the team in recent seasons, especially within the wide receiver room.

As the 2024 season unfolds, the NFL world will be closely watching to see how Smith's coaching philosophy and adaptability will shape the Steelers' offense and the behavior of their star wide receivers, Pickens and Johnson. 

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