Steelers Starting To Worry About Arthur Smith Seriously After New Report Leaks

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has not been good for several seasons now. In fact, it was so bad during the 2023 season that Pittsburgh did something unorthodox and fired Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada in the middle of the season—something the Steelers organization historically avoids. 

In the 2024 offseason, they made a bold move by bringing in Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator. While the transition hasn’t been the smoothest, Smith has managed to show progress, working alongside veterans like Russell Wilson and benefiting from the strong culture built by Mike Tomlin. Improvements are evident, and fans remain hopeful that stability in the coordinator position could finally lead to offensive consistency.

However, Smith’s time in Pittsburgh may be shorter than expected. On Tuesday, after the University of North Carolina parted ways with Mack Brown, reports emerged linking Smith as a potential candidate for the Tar Heels' head coaching vacancy. The speculation gained traction, with many pointing to Smith’s pedigree and leadership style as a strong fit for the college ranks. Though just a rumor at first, it quickly became a topic of concern for Steelers supporters eager to see him stay and continue his work in the Steel City.

By Wednesday, FootballScoop revealed that Smith is seriously considering the opportunity, citing sources close to the situation. 

"Two different sources tell FootballScoop that Arthur Smith, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach and current Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, would have an interest in a return to collegiate coaching after 15 years in the NFL," FootballScoop reported.

If Smith does decide to leave Pittsburgh for Chapel Hill, it would deal a significant blow to the Steelers’ efforts to rebuild their offense. Continuity has been a major issue for the team in recent years, and another sudden departure would only add to the instability. For now, all eyes are on Smith as the Steelers face the possibility of losing the man tasked with reviving their offense.

On one hand, it doesn’t seem to make much sense for Smith to leave the NFL to coach at the college level. However, when you consider his history, it becomes more understandable. 

Smith has already been a head coach in the NFL, spending three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, his tenure there was marked by disappointment, as the team won just seven games each season, resulting in three consecutive losing seasons and his eventual firing.

Steelers' Arthur Smith Hasn't Escaped Criticism

With the Steelers, Smith has landed in a unique and promising situation, and he appears genuinely happy in Pittsburgh. Despite this, he hasn’t escaped criticism, with fans recently calling out some of his play-calling decisions. Even so, Smith has undeniably made progress with the Steelers' offense. It’s still early in his tenure, and passing final judgment on his abilities as an offensive coordinator would be premature.

One thing is clear: the Steelers' offense needs to become more consistent. While Smith has shown signs of improvement, the pressure remains high for him to deliver results. Whether he stays in Pittsburgh or pursues the opportunity at North Carolina, his ability to establish stability and effectiveness will define his legacy.

It’s possible that Smith feels he’s spent enough time in the NFL and is now eager to see if he can succeed as a college football head coach. This development will undoubtedly be fascinating for Steeler Nation to watch closely. With the Steelers starting the gauntlet of their schedule and aiming for a deep postseason run, Smith’s primary focus will remain on helping the team achieve its goals.

Still, the uncertainty surrounding his coaching future adds an intriguing layer to the season. Whether Smith ultimately stays in Pittsburgh or decides to explore the opportunity in the college ranks, the outcome will have significant implications for both his career and the Steelers' offensive trajectory.