Report: Steelers Could Be In Serious Danger Of Losing Arthur Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a shocking move to fire their struggling Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, roughly a year ago during the 2023 season. Historically, the Steelers have avoided midseason firings, sticking to a methodical and patient approach to leadership changes. However, after enduring several seasons of underwhelming offensive production, Pittsburgh broke tradition, deciding it was time for a change. Canada’s dismissal signaled the organization’s frustration and commitment to revamping its offense.

In the 2024 offseason, the Steelers turned to Arthur Smith, a proven offensive mind who had struggled during his three-year tenure as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons but previously thrived as one of the NFL’s top offensive coordinators with the Tennessee Titans. Smith’s arrival brought hope for a rejuvenated offense built on physicality and efficiency, qualities he showcased in Tennessee. So far, Smith has seemed to embrace his role in the Steel City, helping reshape the offense into a unit with renewed purpose and identity. It's not been easy and has taken some time but there are signs of progress.

However, Smith’s time in Pittsburgh may be short-lived. On3 college football insider Andy Staples reported on Tuesday that Smith’s name has surfaced as a top candidate for the head coaching position at the University of North Carolina. 

The legendary college football Head Coach Mack Brown has been coaching the Tar Heels. He's now 73 years old, but had planned to return to be their head coach in 2025. On Tuesday, Brown was fired by the university.

The Tar Heels are searching for a leader to guide their program into the future, and Smith’s offensive expertise and leadership experience have made him a prime target. This development raises questions about the Steelers' ability to keep Smith long-term and whether his departure could disrupt the team’s ongoing offensive rebuild.

It’s clear that Smith’s offense isn’t firing on all cylinders just yet. That’s understandable, given the circumstances—Justin Fields started the first six games, and Russell Wilson has taken over for the last five. Despite the transitions, the Steelers are 8-3 and sit atop their division, a testament to the team's overall strength. While the offense has shown flashes of improvement, fans remain concerned about the unit's struggles to score touchdowns early in games and capitalize on drives in the red zone.

Steelers' Arthur Smith Still Has A Lot Left To Prove To Steeler Nation

These growing pains were expected, as Smith is implementing a new system with several moving parts. So far, he’s done a respectable job, but the biggest challenge lies ahead. The Steelers face a grueling stretch to close out the 2024 regular season, one that will put Smith’s offense to the ultimate test.

For now, Smith’s priority will undoubtedly be ensuring the Steelers finish the season strong. With the postseason on the horizon, his focus is on sharpening the offense and turning Pittsburgh into a legitimate contender come playoff time.

The extent of mutual interest between Smith and the University of North Carolina for the head coaching position remains unclear. For starters, Staples' report simply identifies Smith as a name to watch, not as a guaranteed frontrunner for the job. There are still many variables that could influence the situation, and nothing is set in stone.

That said, it’s certainly intriguing to see Smith’s name linked to the Tar Heels. While this development doesn’t confirm any imminent moves, it does add an unexpected layer of speculation to his future, particularly as he works to solidify his role with the Steelers.

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