Out goes Matt Canada – In comes Arthur Smith!!
Just like that, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally have their new offensive coordinator.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II met the media earlier this week and noted how important of a role their new OC was going to play.
“We’re looking forward to having someone come in and take a fresh approach who can help our young players grow and perform and have the offense perform at a consistently high level,” Rooney said.
We didn’t have to wait long to find out who that person was going to be as the Steelers made the hiring of Smith offcial.
Following three consecutive 7-10 seasons without a playoff appearance, the Atlanta Falcons fired Smith at the conclusion of the regular season.
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
Although Smith brings a solid track record of offensive success, many Steelers fans feel going from the heavily-criticized Canada to Smith is nothing more than a parallel move.
The Pittsburgh Steelers going from Matt Canada to Arthur Smith: pic.twitter.com/hgmHrjx58q
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) January 30, 2024
Smith’s time with the Falcons was marked by inconsistency and criticism, especially regarding his utilization of key offensive players.
The handling of running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and the quarterback situation faced heavy backlash in Atlanta.
George Pickens after 2 weeks of Arthur Smith being the Steelers’ offensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/AiuvKjYTDS
— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) January 30, 2024
“I think we have an idea of what we want the Steeler offense to look like,” Rooney stated at his briefing earlier this week.
“Start with that and we have a certain roster mix that leads to, you can’t completely change your roster overnight, so you kind of have to have a coordinator that feels like they can work with this roster and be successful with it.”
“So, somebody that believes in that and comes in and can work with this roster, do what’s kind of already built here in terms of the roster and some of the skill sets that we have. I think that’s what we’re looking for,” he added.
Rest of the AFC North seeing the Steelers hiring Arthur Smith as OC pic.twitter.com/QnRTKpPRpo
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) January 30, 2024
Rooney also expressed a desire to return to a ground attack and enhance the quality of quarterback play and development of Kenny Pickett.
“I think we have two high-performing running backs in Najee [Harris] and Jaylen [Warren], and they, along with an improving offensive line, can be the foundation of success going forward,” he added.
The Steelers, with the running back tandem of Harris and Warren, amassed 2,010 rushing yards in the regular season, including a late surge of two 100-yard rushing games by Harris in the last two regular season matchups.
The hiring of Arthur Smith signals a strategic move by the Steelers to bring about a change and establish a more potent and balanced offensive strategy.
However, those Steelers fans are a tough bunch to impress…
Steelers hiring Arthur Smith? pic.twitter.com/7nLSCwoCVV
— Sidney Crosby Enthusiast (😲) (@CrosbyForMVP) January 30, 2024
What are your thoughts on the Smith hire?
Is he a clear upgrade over Canada? … I guess a Gatorade bottle would be a clear upgrade over Canada – but you know what I mean!
Will Smith be able to fix Pickett and turn him into a franchise quarterback???