Arthur Smith isn’t going to be the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. But to begin his NFL offseason, he is getting a multitude of opportunities elsewhere around the league.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday morning the Detroit Lions requested to interview Smith for their offensive coordinator opening.
In the same X post, Rapoport reminded fans Smith is “in the mix” for opportunities as both an NFL head coach and coordinator.
“Smith is still in the mix for multiple HC job and has significant coordinator interest,” wrote Rapoport.
Smith possesses 17 years of NFL coaching experience. Over the past seven seasons, Smith has been either an offensive coordinator or head coach for three different NFL organizations.
With the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23, Smith posted a 21-30 record as a head coach.
Could Arthur Smith Remain Steelers Offensive Coordinator in 2026?
One of the many opportunities Smith could have this offseason is to stay as OC with the Steelers. Team president Art Rooney II left open that possibility while speaking to reporters about the team’s next head coach Wednesday.
But the Steelers president did say the team doesn’t have any internal candidates to replace Mike Tomlin.
So, it will be interesting to see if Smith even considers staying with the Steelers. One could argue the organization not even planning to interview him for head coach is a significant snub.
The Steelers finished 15th in points scored and 25th in yards during the 2025 season. The unit experienced similar success during his first campaign as Pittsburgh coordinator in 2024 as well.
During that season, the Steelers were 16th in points and 23rd in yards.
In 2024, the Steelers were a much better running team. While finishing fourth in carries that season, Smith’s offense was 11th in rushing yards. In 2025, the Steelers were 28th in rushing attempts and 26th in rushing yards.
Smith’s best coordinator success came with the Tennessee Titans from 2019-20. With Derrick Henry as his running back, the Titans were top 3 in rushing yards and touchdowns during both seasons.
As a result, Tennessee was a top 12 unit in yards and points both years. In 2020, the Titans were second in yards and fourth in points.
Over the years, Smith has done well to maximize what he’s had at quarterback. His offenses were above average with Ryan Tannehill and Justin Fields, along with the aging Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
What Art Rooney II Indirectly Said About Smith as Steelers HC Candidate
It’s important to note Rooney didn’t specifically address Smith during his Wednesday press conference. Connecting the dots, though, the Steelers president doesn’t appear to see Smith as head coach material.
“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 is the most obvious head coach candidate on the Steelers staff. On Wednesday, Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora named Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth head coach candidates that would “make sense” in Pittsburgh. But they haven’t gotten any traction as candidates in the national media, with the Steelers or any other team.
Rooney’s comment mostly just applies to Smith. It was a little surprising how honest the team president was.
But again, Smith will have opportunities elsewhere. Pundits have continued to connect him to the Titans head coach opening because of his previous tenure in Tennessee. On Wednesday, Rapoport reported the Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview Smith for their head coaching job.
It will be shocking if Smith isn’t a coordinator or head coach somewhere in the NFL during 2026.
Arthur Smith Getting ‘Significant’ Looks Around NFL After Steelers Snub