Teams Around The League Are Interested In Steelers' Arthur Smith For One Extremely Specific Reason

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in an odd spot as an organization when it comes to the quarterback position over the last several seasons. The room has been completely turned over for two consecutive campaigns, and the franchise has gone four straight years with a different opening day starter. Throughout all of that inconsistency, Pittsburgh and Head Coach Mike Tomlin have found a way to stay afloat and remain competitive as the franchise has made the postseason in each of the last two seasons.

The Steelers started a mixture of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson during the 2024 season, and four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers was brought in to be the starter in 2025. All three quarterbacks have their own talents and specialties, but Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith has done an exceptional job of making everything work while running the offense with different players under center. 

Smith's work with different quarterbacks has not gone unnoticed, as many around the league have been impressed with what he has done in Pittsburgh. Team insider Mike DeFabo believes it is a big reason Smith will be considered for head coaching gigs during the 2026 offseason, which he made clear in a recent article for The Athletic.

"As Smith’s name is circulated as a head coaching candidate again, it’s hard to say what’s strengthened his case more: the success of Rodgers, Wilson and Fields in Pittsburgh, or the way all three struggled without him," DeFabo wrote.

Fields has the worst winning percentage as a starting quarterback in the history of the NFL with a player that has registered as many starts as he has, yet Smith found a way to get Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record with Fields running the offense. He then led a mostly successful charge with Wilson at quarterback. The way both Fields and Wilson have performed in 2025 makes what Smith did in 2024 extra impressive.

Wilson got benched by the New York Giants after starting just three games for the team. It was known going into the year that he would probably hit the bench eventually due to the excitement surrounding rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, but many thought Wilson would get more than just three games. Fields is in the midst of being replaced by the New York Jets as he was benched at halftime of their Week 7 contest, and his status for Week 8 is still up in the air.

The success of Rodgers goes without saying. He has been one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC throughout the 2025 season, and Pittsburgh's offense looks better than it ever has in recent memory. The quarterback play and offense as a whole should get Smith plenty of looks throughout the 2026 offseason, as there should be plenty of head coach openings as the season continues to move along.

Steelers' Arthur Smith Could Return To The Tennessee Titans

Only one head coach has been fired in the NFL so far during the 2025 season, and that was Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans. Smith spent nearly a decade with the Titans in a litany of offensive roles, but he excelled as the team's offensive coordinator during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. This earned him a chance to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but that did not exactly work out.

Tennessee is an intriguing option for Smith due to his familiarity with the organization and the area. He has been able to get the best out of quarterbacks with Pittsburgh, and the organization desperately needs that for quarterback Cam Ward who has had an ugly rookie season.

There will be plenty of other options that become available as there should be a decent amount of turnover amongst the head coaches in the NFL. However, Smith could still return to Pittsburgh if he doesn't feel ready to become a head coach again.

Where do you think Smith will be during the 2026 season? Let us know in the comments below!

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