Steelers' Arthur Smith Is Quickly Eyeing 3 New Teams Across The NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching staff is about to look very different, as news came out that all assistant coaches are free to pursue other jobs. This does not mean the end of these coaches' careers with the Steelers, but their fate will be entirely up to the Steelers' next head coach. For coaches like Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, it's time to start looking for their next destination to be safe.

Former Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin was as beloved in Pittsburgh as any coach in the NFL. In the current professional football world, where head coaches come and go as the wind blows, Tomlin's 19-year run with the Steelers is unprecedented. He was the most tenured head coach in the sport, with Andy Reid the next closest, at 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. What Tomlin did with the Steelers, 19 straight non-losing seasons and a Super Bowl victory, is historic. With him now gone, there'll be a sweeping change of the old regime, with some big shoes to fill. That leaves Tomlin's current staff in full flux.

This week, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac, reported that Smith has already begun interviews for other positions. He's a hot commodity and the coach is wasting no time.

"Former Steelers OC Arthur Smith interviewed Wednesday with the Tennessee Titans and will interview Friday with the Arizona Cardinals for their vacant head-coach position," Dulac wrote. "He will also interview with the Detroit Lions to be their offensive coordinator."

The chance for Smith to be a head coach is one that any coordinator of a team would dream of. The Tennessee Titans are a promising job for any potential head coach, as they have 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward at quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals' job is also nothing to scoff at, with the third pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

If Smith cannot find a head-coaching job, becoming the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator is about as close to success as it gets. After all, former Lions offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, got the Chicago Bears head coaching job because of his success as the Lions' offensive coordinator. Smith would be in charge of one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL, with a superstar running back in Jahmyr Gibbs and a superstar receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown around quarterback Jared Goff.

Time moves fast in the NFL, and nothing lasts forever. Smith was the Steelers' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, during which they made two playoff appearances and won the AFC North this year after a thrilling Week 18 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Smith and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers combined for a very solid season, with Rodgers throwing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns, with just seven interceptions. 

The offense wasn't perfect, but it gave the Steelers a fighting chance in almost every game with Rodgers under center. It was a valiant Steelers tenure for Smith, and there's a good chance he'll land somewhere else quickly, whether as a head coach or offensive coordinator.

Steelers' Next Coaching Tree May Come From Rams

As for the Steelers' future, the current betting favorite to become the next head coach is Chris Shula, grandson of legendary former NFL head coach Don Shula. If Shula is the Steelers' next head coach, there's a strong chance his coaching staff will largely consist of the Rams' current staff. A perfect example is Rams Pass game Coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who also has a head-coaching interview with the Steelers. There would be a very high chance that Scheelhaase would be Shula's offensive coordinator if Shula were the Steelers' head coach. 

The Steelers injecting some Rams DNA into their coaching staff would be widely received. After all, Rams Head Coach Sean McVay is widely known as one of the brightest young minds in football, and the Rams have had a history of consistent success under McVay.

Unlike other coaching jobs, no matter who coaches the Steelers, they'll face high expectations immediately. Steelers fans do not accept rebuilding seasons; they expect to be competitive every season. For whoever becomes the next head coach and offensive coordinator of the Steelers, they will have to be ready for this.

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