Steelers' Van Jefferson Detailed The Biggest Difference He Sees In OC Arthur Smith In Pittsburgh As Opposed To Atlanta

The Pittsburgh Steelers' new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, will have a homecoming of sorts when Pittsburgh plays the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Smith constitutes one of the many, and one of the biggest changes the Steelers made to the team during the 2024 offseason. After almost three seasons of mediocre play-calling from Matt Canada, everyone is excited to see what Smith brings. 

During his time as Atlanta's head coach, Smith also actively worked with the offense, where he came under fire for his play-calling. Before coming to Atlanta, Smith rose to notoriety as the innovative offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. It isn't clear why Smith's skills didn't translate when he became a head coach, but they didn't, and the Falcons fired him after the 2023 season.   

Smith did bring along a few familiar faces, including Cordarrelle Patterson, Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, and MyCole Pruitt. Recently, Patterson sang Smith's praises, telling the media that he seems "different, in a good way." He said it feels like he has less stress on him, and he's glad because he considers Smith "his guy," making Pittsburgh an easy decision. 

Patterson isn't the only one who recognizes how good Smith's move to the Steel City has been. According to a tweet she posted on X, Jefferson recently told ESPN's Brooke Pryor that he sees the positive change, too. 

"Van Jefferson on Arthur Smith: 'I feel like Arthur's just a little more relaxed. I think he's having fun doing what he's doing. Not saying that he didn't have fun in Atlanta, but I think that now he just doesn't have to worry about everything,'" posted Pryor.

In her most recent column, Pryor said that Smith was excited about the opportunity, but found that being the top dog took him away from the things he loves about football. When Head Coach Mike Tomlin offered him the job, he was thrilled to return to being more hands-on with players. Smith has numerous connections to Pittsburgh throughout his career. That includes coaches who mentored him, like Mike Vrabel, Ken Whisenhunt, and Mike Mularkey, making it feel like fate. 

He shared with Pryor that he feels free; he doesn't have to worry about everything, but can focus on being an offensive mastermind. During his time in Tennessee, he helped elevate the play of quarterback Ryan Tannehill enough that he was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2019. His powerful offense ranked third in total yards in 2020. He also brought out the best that year in running back Derrick Henry, who had a career-best 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns, enough to earn him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.

The Steelers hope Smith can do something similar in Pittsburgh. Given Smith's past success, it is no surprise that players who knew him in Atlanta enjoy working with this version of their coach. 

Steelers Provided A Refuge For Those Who Are "Scalded"

In that same column, Pryor wrote that Tomlin called Smith, Wilson, and Justin Fields "scalded" coming in from their prior teams. The Steelers need fresh faces to pull them out of the playoff slump they have been in for the past several seasons. They have not won in the postseason since the 2016 season, which makes them the perfect landing spot for people like Smith, Wilson, and Fields, who all have something to prove. 

Nearly every player and coach who becomes part of the franchise cites the franchise's history of excellence and Tomlin as two main reasons they want to be in the Steel City. The newly acquired players and coaches have an opportunity to help this team return to its former glory. 

Current players like T.J. Watt feel that the 2024 unit has it all. Watt, who's never won a playoff game, recently said that this team's time is now. This defense, the most expensive in the NFL right now, won't be around forever.  

What are you expecting from Smith this season? Click to comment below. 

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