The Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for their next offensive coordinator, and they have reportedly added a new name to the list of candidates in Arthur Smith. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Steelers are interviewing Smith Sunday, the day of the NFL Championship Games.

Former #Falcons coach Arthur Smith is interviewing today for the #Steelers offensive coordinator job, per sources. pic.twitter.com/45dlcX2QV2

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 28, 2024

While most recent NFL fans remember Smith only for his failures with the Atlanta Falcons, don’t get the message confused as to his capabilities as a play caller. Smith got his start with the Tennessee Titans as a quality control coach under Mike Munchak, but was eventually promoted to assistant offensive line and assistant tight ends coach in 2013.

After Munchak was fired in 2013, Smith remained with the Titans for tenures with Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Mularkey and even Mike Vrabel as the tight ends coach. Under Vrabel in 2019 was when Smith did his best job as a play caller replacing Matt LaFleur, who left for his head coaching job with the Green Bay Packers. In that season Smith’s offense was the highest-scoring Titans team in 16 years, with Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and Jonnu Smith having career years. Smith was praised for his play-calling in the Titans’ 28-12 win over the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round. He was hired to be the Falcons head coach in 2021, and orchestrated three straight 7-10 seasons in a very mundane NFC South division.

Some Steelers fans might think this wouldn’t be as “outside-the-box” interview as they would like, but Smith certainly fits the criteria of having play calling experience in the NFL, and success in that realm.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the offseason and finding their next play caller.