As Falcons fans rejoice in the hire of Raheem Morris, Steelers fans are getting to know his predecessor, Arthur Smith, and their new offensive coordinator.
On paper, the match seems seamless. Smith is a hard-nosed coach that preaches physicality. His style embodies the blue-collar nature of the city and what Mike Tomlin wants out of his offense.
Similar to the Falcons, the Steelers have a great skill group with question marks surrounding the quarterback position. George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Darnell Washington, and Pat Freiermuth give Smith plenty to work with, but Kenny Pickett leaves some to be desired.
We just saw where putting your eggs in the basket of the wrong quarterback can get a coach. Pickett is more serviceable than Ridder, but the Steelers could still stand to upgrade the position.
Regardless, Smith has the opportunity to revive his career and potentially improve his stock as a head coaching candidate. If you ask Jonnu Smith, it’s only a matter of time before Arthur Smith garners another opportunity.
“What’s making this thing a lot easier is he’ll be just fine,” said tight end Jonnu Smith, via the Post-Gazette, on the day his longtime coach was ousted and the Falcons cleared out their lockers. “Knowing his resilience and the kind of man he is, he’ll bounce back. He’ll be back where he should be in no time. … He’s just a hell of a person, man. I don’t know how many interviews I did about Art, but truly, I can’t do enough.
I am of the opinion that Smith drew the short end of the stick. On the one hand, he never got a fair shake when it came to decent quarterback play, but he did make his bed by hitching his wagon to Ridder. I believe he didn’t think 2023 was do or die and that he figured he’d get 2024 to prove it with a reliable signal caller.
It was a fateful decision to roll with the third-round pick, one I’m sure Arthur Smith regrets. The former Falcons head coach isn’t being considered a head coach candidate, but a lot can change in a couple of years.
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Photographer: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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