Steelers fans bound to be let down by another OC with latest hire

Arthur Smith landed his first NFL job in 2007 as a Defensive Quality Assistant coach with Washington, a post he held for two seasons. His first extensive run in the league was with the Tennessee Titans from 2011-20, however, a stint that included two years as the team's offensive coordinator in the final two seasons.

Smith worked with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, helping him earn both a Pro Bowl honor and the AP Comeback Player of the Year award in 2019, as well as running back Derrick Henry, who won AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2020. The Titans offense finished 10th in scoring during Smith's first season with the club and fourth in 2020, before he was hired as the Atlanta Falcons head coach ahead of the 2021 campaign.

The Falcons' offenses during his three-year stint were significantly less successful, finishing 15th in scoring in 2022 and 26th in both 2021 and 2023.

The expected hiring of Smith could be a boon for Steelers running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. The same can't be said, however, for the other key offensive weapons like quarterback Kenny Pickett, wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Not only did Atlanta go 7-10 in all three of Smith's seasons at the helm, but the team had constant issues at quarterback over the last two years.

2022 draft pick Desmond Ridder was benched and re-inserted as the starter multiple times and ultimately finished the campaign with a 64.2% completion percentage for 2,836 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for an 83.4 passer rating across 15 games (13 starts). Taylor Heinicke posted a 54.4% completion percentage for 890 passing yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions for a 74.7 passer rating in five games (four starts).

2021 fourth overall pick Kyle Pitts and 2022 eighth overall pick Drake London, again, were either underutilized or misused in Smith's offense in 2023.

The tight end played in all 17 games but finished with only 53 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns on 90 targets. Pitts only surpassed 60 receiving yards in a game once in 2023, went over six targets three times and his trio of touchdowns were remarkably a career high.

London was the team's top wideout, but that doesn't say much. He ended the year with 69 catches for 905 yards and two scores on 110 targets.

It was reported last week that a host of teams were interested in Smith in this winter's cycle, so seeing the 41-year-old land somewhere wasn't a surprise. For Steelers fans though, they may soon be in for disappointment again.