Smith, previously the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, is not an unfamiliar name in football circles. During his two seasons with the Titans, Smith orchestrated an offensive renaissance that brought about great success for the team.

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Even though quarterback Ryan Tannehill was having trouble finding his rhythm at the time, the Titans were winning postseason games. Similar like Kenny Pickett, the quarterback for the Steelers at the moment.

Smith’s invention of the play-action pass game, which gave Tannehill a fresh start to his career, was his genius. Under Smith’s direction in 2020, Tannehill gave an outstanding performance. With a passing rating of 106.5, he completed an astounding 65.5% of his passes for 3,819 yards, 33 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Tannehill’s 2019 stats were a small improvement over his impressive performance of 2,742 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, completion percentage of 70.3%, and an excellent passer rating of 117.5. Tannehill’s performance was obviously greatly enhanced by Smith’s coaching, demonstrating his capacity to elevate a struggling quarterback’s game.

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Tannehill passed for a total of 55 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions while working under Smith’s direction. This outstanding performance demonstrated the quarterback and coach’s synergy. As a keen watcher of the game, McAfee thinks that Smith will win over the Steelers supporters in Pittsburgh.

“I think this is a good hire for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” McAfee remarked enthusiastically. “Pittsburgh people are going to enjoy the way Artie operates. I think Pittsburgh is going to love Artie Smith, and I think Artie is going to love Pittsburgh.”

A significant number of Steelers supporters are disappointed by the selection of Smith as offensive coordinator, but it’s critical to distinguish between Smith’s new position as coordinator and his former tenure as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Because these two professions need very distinct skill sets and duties, comparing them can be a pointless endeavour. McAfee invites Steelers supporters to consider what initially brought him a position with the Falcons.

“Let’s remember that the reason he had that head coaching job is because of what he did at the Tennessee Titans organization with Derrick Henry, Tannehill and the boy was so good he got a head coaching gig basically out of nowhere after sleeping on couches for a decade or so.”

Smith has demonstrated his ability to create and carry out effective offensive schemes in his role as offensive coordinator. Due to his ability to maximise quarterback performance and his emphasis on the play-action throw game, he is a highly sought-after offensive coordinator.

In the world of football, coaches frequently have to negotiate a challenging environment where a variety of uncontrollable elements might impact their success or failure. Even if Smith’s time with the Falcons may not have produced the expected outcomes, it’s important to take into account his wealth of knowledge and any insightful insights he may have picked up along the road.

As the Steelers welcome Smith as their new offensive coordinator, it’s clear that the decision has generated a range of reactions among fans. While some may be hesitant due to Smith’s previous challenges as a head coach, the promising track record he established as an offensive coordinator with the Titans cannot be overlooked.

With McAfee’s resounding endorsement and the potential for Smith to rejuvenate the Steelers’ offense, there is ample reason for optimism in Pittsburgh. As the 2024 NFL season is still far away, Steelers fans eagerly await the opportunity to witness Smith’s impact on the team and the continued growth of their beloved franchise.