With Mike Tomlin’s departure, the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff is in limbo. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could have a job with the organization in 2026. But it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be at head coach.
Team President Art Rooney II indicated that while speaking to the media Wednesday. Rooney didn’t rule out Smith returning, but he indirectly stated Smith is not a candidate to replace Tomlin.
“Right now, I don’t think anybody on our staff is a candidate,” Rooney told reporters. “Maybe a candidate to stay on the staff depending on what the new head coach wants to do, but probably not as a head coach.”
Smith has served as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Prior to that, he was the Atlanta Falcons head coach from 2021-23.
As Falcons head coach, Smith posted a 21-30 record. Smith has 17 years of NFL coaching experience.
Art Rooney Rules out Arthur Smith as Mike Tomlin Replacement
Smith’s name has popped up in head coaching rumors at both the NFL and college level the past 18 months. So, it only seems natural that he would be a head coach candidate for the Steelers.
But unless Rooney changes his mind, it doesn’t sound like Smith will be a candidate in Pittsburgh.
Of the potential internal candidates, Smith is the most obvious choice to replace Tomlin. On Wednesday, Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora also named running backs coach Eddie Faulkner and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth candidates that would “make sense.”
But unlike Smith, Faulkner and Arth are not getting serious head coach consideration elsewhere.
Smith’s ties to the Tennessee Titans make him an obvious candidate for that organization. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday the Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview Smith for their head coach opening.
Art Rooney II Puts Arthur Smith on Notice With Steelers’ Plan at Head Coach