One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure, as the adage goes. That might be the case with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arthur Smith, according to Brian Batko of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
After three consecutive 7-10 seasons, the Atlanta Falcons fired Smith as their head coach on January 8. Three days later, while answering a mailbag question, Batko proposed the idea of the Steelers considering Smith for their opening at offensive coordinator.
“Smith gained the keys to Atlanta in the first place because of his outstanding work with a play action-heavy offense in Tennessee and his ability to revitalize Ryan Tannehill’s career. However, Batko noted, “hitching his wagon to Desmond Ridder at quarterback didn’t go so well for him.” “Some people are great at running an offense and calling plays, but they’re not good enough to be head coaches.
“Smith might fit that description, and there’s no doubt that his reputation would mesh well with the offensive line and philosophy of the Steelers.”
Smith served as offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans for two seasons, from 2019 to 2020, and during that time the team placed in the top 12 in terms of yards and points scored.
The Titans boasted one of the league’s top offenses in his second season. They were fourth in points and second in yards at the conclusion of 2020.
The Coaching Resume of Arthur Smith
Before taking the helm as head coach of the Falcons, Smith served as an NFL offensive coordinator for just two years. However, the 41-year-old has been a coach for almost 20 years.
In 2007, Smith started his NFL coaching career as a defensive quality assistant with the Washington Redskins, having served as a graduate assistant for one season at North Carolina. 2011 saw Smith join the Titans staff as defensive quality control following two years in that capacity and a season as an Ole Miss defensive intern.
He ascended the Tennessee coaching ladder gradually. Despite the Titans having three head coaches in their history, Smith stayed with the team for ten years.
Smith joined the Titans tight ends coach in 2016 under Mike Mularkey. When Mularkey was replaced by Mike Vrabel in 2018 by the Titans, he continued in that capacity.
Then, as offensive coordinator in 2019, Smith was given the chance to call the offensive plays for the squad. Smith’s next opportunity as head coach of the Falcons came about as a result of his ability to revitalize quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s career and establish Derrick Henry as the league’s top running back.
However, Smith was unable to replicate that kind of success in Atlanta with Marcus Mariota or Desmond Ridder at the core of the offense. During Smith’s three seasons as head coach, the Falcons never finished in the upper half in terms of offensive yards or points scored.
How Arthur Smith Would Work as the Offensive Coordinator for the Steelers
Smith, who led the Falcons to a 21–30 record, is unlikely to be given the chance to lead the team again in 2024. Even if things didn’t work out in Atlanta, he had the potential to be a very good offensive play caller.
Some coaches are just more fit for a coordinator position than a head coaching one, as Batko contended.
The Steelers and Mike Tomlin should be drawn to Smith’s willingness to build a running game. Smith’s attacks have placed in the top three in terms of running attempts and in the top ten in terms of yards in three of the last four seasons.
Despite the quarterback difficulties in Atlanta, the Falcons were third in running during 2022 and tenth this past season.
Smith also employs play-action passes to open up space down the field while utilizing the rushing game.
Smith seems like a compelling option to be the Steelers’ offensive coordinator because of this. He fits in well with Pittsburgh’s offensive scheme in terms of scheme.
