Last season, supporters of the Pittsburgh Steelers begged the team to fire offensive coordinator Matt Canada for several months.
When Canada was dismissed in November, the calls were eventually returned.
It is now stated that the team is employing a new guy for the position, but if past performance is any guide, Black and Gold supporters might be in for more letdown.
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
2020. Prior to Smith’s appointment as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 2021 season, the Titans offense placed fourth in 2020 and 10th in scoring during his first season with the team.
During his three-year tenure, the Falcons’ offensive had far less success; in 2022, they were 15th in scoring, and in 2021 and 2023, they finished 26th.
Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, two running backs for the Steelers, may benefit from Smith’s anticipated hiring. But the same cannot be said about the other important offensive weapons, including tight end Pat Freiermuth, wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, and quarterback Kenny Pickett.
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.
Despite playing in every one of the 17 games, the tight end managed just 53 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns on 90 targets. In 2023, Pitts only once over 60 receiving yards in a game, three times went over six targets, and his three touchdowns were astonishingly a career high.
London was the team’s best wide receiver, but that’s not really telling. At the end of the season, he had two touchdowns on 110 targets with 69 receptions for 905 yards.
Smith, 41, landing anywhere wasn’t shocking because it was revealed last week that numerous teams were interested in him for this winter’s cycle. However, Steelers supporters might soon experience another letdown.
