Ex-Falcons head coach Arthur Smith hired as new Steelers offensive coordinator

The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided who their new offensive coordinator will be next season. According to a report by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, the team will name former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their new play-caller. The Falcons recently fired Smith after suffering a 48-16 blowout loss to the Saints in Week 18. The former Titans offensive coordinator spent three seasons as Atlanta’s head coach and compiled a record 21-30.

Smith’s scheme has been known to be suited around the capabilities of what a productive running back can bring to a team’s offense. He will be inheriting a roster with abundant talent on the offensive side, such as George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Diontae Johnson.

Even though the Steelers qualified for the playoffs, their offense was one of the league’s worst. In 2023, Pittsburgh’s offense ranked 25th in points per game, 28th in total yards, and 28th in passing yards. The next phase of retooling the Steelers offense is to find a quarterback that can compete with 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett.

In his exit press conference for 2023, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stated that the team would search outside of the organization to find a new offensive coordinator and sign a quarterback that would be viewed as competition for their former first-round selection.