The Pittsburgh Steelers are eager to put the futile offenses of the Matt Canada era to rest, and the best way to do that is for Arthur Smith to flourish in his new role. Pittsburgh needed an offensive coordinator to help rebuild a derailed Steelers’ offense, and they feel like Smith is the best person for that job. Despite the skeptics who worry that this will be another frustrating coordinator for the Steelers, there is also a great deal of faith that on Smith's watch, the 2024 Steelers can become an offense that fans would be proud of.
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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith hasn't been successful as a head coach with the Atlanta Falcons, but as an OC he produces
Steelers Not Concerned With Smith Being Fired In Atlanta
When the Steelers' 2023 campaign ended with a Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, the franchise knew that they had a huge decision ahead of them: the offensive coordinator position. Now, with Smith filling that role, the next question is how to set up the new coordinator to succeed as soon as possible.
The Reception Perception podcast segment with The Cook & Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan Friday focused on Smith and what he would be able to do in Pittsburgh. While there are always concerns when a new coordinator had been fired from his previous position, hosts Matt Harmon and James Koh don't see that as a negative. In fact, they believe that Smith's time as offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans is a more fitting example of what to expect in Pittsburgh.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't hire Arthur Smith to be the head coach! Like, I think he's perfectly paired up with a guy in Mike Tomlin to be reminiscent of Mike Vrabel, who was a strong-willed head coach who could say to Arthur, 'Look, buddy, we have good players, we get the ball to the good players.’"
Watching the Steelers abandon the middle of the field with Canada as their offensive coordinator was painful for Steelers' fans across the world, and that should change under Smith. Those who have been waiting and hoping for players like George Pickens to be properly utilized across the middle will finally have a chance to be satisfied with the on-the-field product. If Smith can become the same offensive coach that he was in Tennessee, then 2024 will be like night and day for anyone who suffered through Canada's offenses.
"There were times, especially in 2022, where Arthur Smith was doing good things, and by the way, he was doing good things that are right in line with what we want out of NFL offenses today...we want teams that dominate the middle of the field...that's where Arthur Smith's offense is at its best is these big over routes. The people on Twitter dying in the desert, thirsty, starving for a George Pickens dig route -- you know where you're gonna get it? You're gonna get it in Arthur Smith's offense, baby! So get ready for that."
That is certainly rousing support for Smith, and considering what the Steelers have in recent history to compare him to, there is good reason for the positivity. Smith will have plenty of talent to work with, the question is whether or not he will be able to put together a complete offense rather than the sandlot version that has been the norm.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A8182-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens")
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has shown flashes of greatness but has to rein in his immaturity to become a superstar
Steelers Hoping Arthur Smith Can Be What Kenny Pickett Needs
It's no secret that the Steelers aren't sold on Kenny Pickett being the franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future. Granted, Pickett hasn't shown the star qualities that the Steelers imagined when they spent a 2022 first-round draft pick on the quarterback, but there have been challenging circumstances to overcome.
Not only has Pickett dealt with a slew of injuries that derailed momentum more than once in his two seasons as an NFL quarterback, but when he has been on the field, his production has been okay at best. With an equal ratio of touchdowns to interceptions - 13 of each in 25 games - there is no guarantee that Pickett is the guy for the future of the Steelers. Smith didn't exactly wow people with the progression of Desmond Ridder during his time as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, so the hope is with a singular focus on the offense the results can be different.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A7842-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett has a first-round pedigree but has yet to live up to those expectations
With plenty of time between now and the start of Pittsburgh's 2024 season, the Steelers will be able to put together a competitive quarterback room. This will either push Pickett to become the best version of himself, or someone else will prove themselves to be the better option. Whether it's Pickett or another quarterback, the Steelers have complete faith that Smith will have this offense ready to take on the best teams in the NFL when 2024 kicks off.
How will the 2024 Steelers offense perform under Arthur Smith? Will the 2024 Steelers win a playoff game?
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