Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith landed on his feet. According to Tom Pelissero, Smith has been hired by Mike Tomlin to join the Steelers as offensive coordinator.
The #Steelers are expected to hire former #Falcons coach Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator, per sources.
Smith had a top run game as #Titans OC before heading to Atlanta three years ago. Now he’ll be coaching Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and company in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/8QH8okMNgG
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2024
Arthur Smith interviewed for the vacancy in Pittsburgh yesterday, and Tomlin didn’t wait long to hire him.
After moving on from Matt Canada during the season, which was the first time the Steelers have ever done that, offensive coordinator duties were split between running backs coach Eddie Faulkner and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan to finish out the season.
By all accounts, Arthur Smith failed with the Falcons. In 2021 and 2022, he overachieved with a lackluster roster. However, last season was supposed to be different. With a much improved defense and another top 10 skill player, Arthur Smith was expected to improve in his third year.
It couldn’t have gone worse, and inconsistencies on the offensive side of the ball were the primary catalyst of Atlanta’s shortcomings. The Falcons finished 27th in EPA per play, as well as 28th in rush success rate last year and 26th over the three years under Smith.
Now, with the Steelers, he’ll be expected to revive a talented, yet underachieving offense. In his final season with the Titans, Smith coordinated the second best offense by EPA per play, so it’s clear he is capable of coordinating a successful offense.
However, the biggest difference between his time in Tennessee compared to Atlanta is quarterback play. Much of the Falcons struggles stemmed from poor play at the position, and there’s no clear difference with the Steelers. Their personnel would be a fit with Smith’s style of offense, but I’m not sure anyone will work in Pittsburgh without upgrading the quarterback position.
Falcons fans will see Arthur Smith in 2024, though. The Steelers are expected to travel to Atlanta for a contest next season.
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Photographer: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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