Report: Steelers hiring ex-Falcons coach Arthur Smith as OC

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th January, 13:35 2024

Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith shown on the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. credits: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to hire former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The Falcons fired Smith on Jan. 8 at the conclusion of his third straight 7-10 season.

Smith, 41, was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020 before taking the Atlanta job.

He originally joined the Titans in 2011 as a quality control coach before working with the offensive line (2013) and the tight ends (2014-18).

The Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Nov. 21. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner took over the day-to-day responsibilities of the OC position and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan became the new play-caller.

Pittsburgh (10-7) rallied to make the playoffs with three straight wins to close the regular season. The campaign ended with a 31-17 road loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round.

The Steelers finished 28th in the NFL in scoring (17.9 points per game) and 25th in total offense (304.3 yards per game).

When Smith directed the Tennessee offense from 2019-20, it was a run-heavy attack behind All-Pro Derrick Henry. Henry led the NFL in rushing both seasons, including a 2,027-yard campaign in 2020.

Smith's stable of running backs in Pittsburgh includes three-time 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who gained 1,154 yards from scrimmage in 2023.

—Field Level Media

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