The Steelers offense limped into the playoffs can continued to fall flat, putting up only 14 points in another postseason blowout. This time, to the Baltimore Ravens.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said they were going to “burn the boats” against the Ravens.
Instead, it looks like someone on the boat just lit a match and quickly put it out.
Those calling for Smith to be dismissed after only a year in Pittsburgh may get their wish if ESPN is correct.
NFL reporter Dan Graziano predicts it will be Smith as the next head coached for the New York Jets.
The Jets fired their head coach Robert Saleh after five games into the 2024 season. Jeff Ulbrich, the team’s defensive coordinator, finished up the year as the interim head coach.
NFL Network reported last week that Smith was considered a candidate for both the Jets and Chicago Bears opening head coaching jobs.
Smith was the head coach of the Falcons from 2021 to 2023.
His numbers with the Falcons were not impressive. The team finished 7-10 each of his three seasons:
• 2021 Points-26th, Rushing-31st in yards-27th in TD, Passing-16th in yards-25th in TD.
• 2022 Points-15th, Rushing-3rd in yards-10th in touchdowns, Passing-31st in yards-24th in TD.
Before being named the Falcons head coach, Smith led one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL while offensive coordinator at Tennessee.
In his pair of seasons as OC, the Titans finished second in 2020 and third in 2019. This affected their passing game in that Tennessee ranked 30th in 2020 in passing attempts, however were eighth in touchdowns and second in interceptions.
In 2019, 31st in passing attempts, eight in touchdowns and fifth in interceptions.
Smith’s offense in Pittsburgh was encouraging through most of the season, but over the past month has struggled to score.
It’s also been criticized for its predictable first down run plays.