Steelers' New Hero OC Arthur Smith Is Bringing Back Long Lost Offensive Discipline

The Pittsburgh Steelers are undergoing a metamorphosis this offseason, one they hope will bring them back to championship form. The team made tremendous changes to the offense, including the hiring of new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith. Smith's addition, along with new quarterbacks, has brought the need for offensive leadership into the spotlight.   

The question of who will emerge as that leader has become a hot topic. Veteran QB Russell Wilson has certainly been doing his part, meeting with teammates and participating in all team activities. However, real leadership comes from the top and this has many looking at Smith. 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Christopher Carter recently discussed Smith's impact on the team's leadership on his Locked on Steelers podcast. Carter said that, in his view, Smith is fighting two battles: the X's and O's battle on the field, and a behind-the-scenes cultural battle.

"This process cannot be overlooked. There's no hierarchy of Steelers leadership right now on the offensive side of the ball," said Carter. "There needs to be a new establishment of that. You need a foundation for those leaders to support in the first place and that foundation was just nonexistent on the offensive side of the ball when it came to what the coordinator was establishing under Matt Canada and really under Randy Fichtner as well. You probably haven't seen that since Todd Haley days."

The Steelers have had tremendous offensive leaders in the past, but there has been turnover and a clear leader just hasn't emerged. There are players who show potential or lead quietly by example, but there isn't anyone who leads the way Hines Ward or Maurkice Pouncey did.   

Pat Freiermuth was also interviewed and asked about Smith's early impact and what kind of coach he is. Freiermuth responded that he is like Head Coach Mike Tomlin in many ways, firm but fair, and he appreciates the consistency. He said Smith isn't afraid to call players out on mistakes in team meetings. 

"When you're succeeding and failing both in practices and in games, that's how you can address things straight up and quickly cut off problems that lead to bigger problems. That was a big part of what happened in Matt Canada's offense was when the Steelers struggled in certain points, they didn't quickly cut off those problems; they compounded and it led to more issues. And that's why the Steelers defense was really the only way the Steelers won most of their games over the past three, four years, even further back," said Carter.

According to Carter, during the era of the past two offensive coordinators, Randy Fichtner and Matt Canada, those mistakes weren't addressed properly. That kind of sweeping under the rug led to frustration and blaming from the players.  

Carter added that while it is very early in the season—we aren't even to pads yet—he sees how Smith operates and the positive impact. He said that he believes Smith's historical connections to the team help. He understands the expectations in Pittsburgh, and he is excited to be a part of the return to greatness. 

Steelers' Arthur Smith Happy To Work With Mike Tomlin

Smith was a successful offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans several years ago, so successful that the Atlanta Falcons hired him as their head coach. However, his time in Atlanta was less positive. 

He has been open that he still has goals to return to being a head coach in the NFL, but for now, there is no one he'd rather work with than Tomlin. Smith said that he was on a much-needed vacation with his wife when Tomlin called to ask to interview him. He said that working for someone as successful as Tomlin, who's been with the same team as long as Tomlin, was a dream come true. 

What do you think about Smith? Do you think he will help leadership develop on the offense? Click to comment below. 

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