The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a new offensive coordinator in 2024 after the team fired Matt Canada midway through the season.
Interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner didn’t appear to be the leading candidate, either, despite helping lead the Steelers to the playoffs with Mason Rudolph under center.
Instead, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin went with an experienced offensive play-caller, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pellisero, in former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith.
Art Rooney said Monday that Mike Tomlin wanted an experienced play-caller. He gets one in Smith, 41, who had interest from several teams. https://t.co/MNyDVVgVWP
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2024
This move gives Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett a true coach to help him develop in a critical third season.
Smith helped remake Ryan Tannehill’s career when he was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans for two seasons from 2019 to 2020, though he failed to elevate the Falcons’ offense during his three years in Atlanta.
The Titans offense ranked top-10 in points in both seasons he called plays, including a fourth-place finish in 2020.
Pittsburgh has a solid core of offensive skill position players between running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris as well as wide receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson.
The key to the Steelers’ entire operation, though, is if Pickett can transform from game manager to playmaker this upcoming season.
Pickett played just well enough to win games for the Steelers, but the team relied more on it’s offense than their quarterback’s arm.
Rudolph actually looked better under center when he took over for Mitchell Trubisky late in the year and maintained the starter’s role even after Pickett recovered from a mid-season ankle injury.
The team will need to make a decision on Pickett after this upcoming season.
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Steelers Owner Reveals What He Wants To See From Kenny Pickett
