The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen some progress on the offensive side of the ball in 2024. They have upgraded from consistently terrible offenses to one that still lacks consistency, however. They had four straight games where they put up totals of 32, 37, 26, and 28 points, but they followed that up by failing to score 20 points in back-to-back games. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith has been praised for the how his unit has improved overall, but he has also faced some backlash for some of their recent duds.
AP
Steelers' Russell Wilson talking with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith.
However, it seems like the Steelers may lose their new play-caller. Smith was reportedly in the mix for the head coaching position for the North Carolina Tar Heels. It would be a huge blow to lose him as the Steelers are getting into their gauntlet of a schedule. Smith's alma mater is calling, but would he go back there to lead a team?
Smith addressed that in his Thanksgiving Day press conference, as he put all the rumors to rest once and for all.
Steelers OC Arthur Smith said North Carolina reached out to him about its head coaching opening, but "I've got an awesome job here. When you've got something good, my family loves it here." Said he's not interested in leaving.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) November 28, 2024
While it was unlikely that he would just straight up abandon an 8-3 team in the middle of the season, it's still nice to hear that Smith will be staying with the Steelers. If there were any concerns about it, they are now gone. Smith will continue to be the offensive coordinator for the rest of the 2024 campaign.
Steelers.com
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith working in their first training camp together.
Smith continued on with that thought, claiming that he may have bailed from any team for North Carolina many years ago, but not anymore.
More Arthur Smith on the NC job: "I've got an awesome job here. Love it here in Pittsburgh. It's probably a different mindset than I had four, five years ago, where any head job, I thought I would walk there and take it."
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) November 28, 2024
Back when he was the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, he was still a younger, more inexperienced coach. Any head coaching job at the time would be his first, and he would pounce on pretty much any offer. With Tennessee, however, he helped develop one of the most feared offenses in the game, as Derrick Henry had career years under Smith's leadership.
Smith did get his chance to be the head coach, but it was not as amazing as he had hoped. He had a very forgettable tenure with the Atlanta Falcons, as their offense regularly stagnated throughout his three seasons there. That itch to at least try to run a whole team has seemingly been scratched now, and he is happy right where he is currently in the Steel City.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com
Steelers new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, made his name known after a great two-year run as the Tennessee Titans play-caller from 2019-2020.
Steelers Were Not Initially Sure That Smith Would Stay
Smith admitted that North Carolina did reach out to him for a "preliminary call" during their search for a new head coach, and he declined to go any further than that for his alma mater.
Smith: "Reality is [UNC] reached out on preliminary call. I appreciate it, love that place. But that's not my focus. I've got one of the best jobs in football right now. There's a lot to be said, too, about can't put a price on personal and professional happiness, which I have… https://t.co/NzVQlgFUy3
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 28, 2024
If Smith is as happy as he says he is with the Steelers, then that is good news for them. They may have their offensive coordinator for the long-term future. If the offense can gain consistency, who knows how long it will be before another NFL team tries to lure him away with the promise of a head coaching job. If that does happen, will he try again, or will he stay in his happy place?
What do you think about Smith staying in Pittsburgh as opposed to leaving for the Tar Heels? Let us know in the comments.
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