Decisions made by Steelers’ others candidates, Cool with that?
First Call: Ex-Steelers’ O-lineman lukewarm on Arthur Smith hire; decisions are made by Steelers’ others candidates
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Not everyone is thrilled with the hire of Arthur Smith as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator. We get word on what happened with the other Steelers candidates.
An NFL coordinator target with local ties is starting to get some interest. And the Duquesne Dukes are welcoming one of college basketball’s most interesting stories to the Bluff on Wednesday night.
All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.”
Trai’s say
You’d think that with his reputation as a run-heavy, offensive-line friendly coordinator, Arthur Smith would be a popular hire among Steelers alumni in the trenches.
But at least one such former Steeler seems a bit dubious of the move. Trai Essex, who hosts the “Pod Me Up” podcast sent out this series of social media posts after word broke that Smith was being hired to replace Matt Canada in 2024.
Amen. I agree with just about everything Essex said there. And to be honest, even when Essex looked at things from a more hopeful standpoint, I think he made some good points as well.
Again, spot on. I can’t disagree with any of that. Also, “he’s here now … let’s see if he can make this thing work” is pretty much the perfect summation of my level of enthusiasm (or lack thereof) for this hire.
Brown to Bears
With Smith latching on in Pittsburgh, one of the Steelers’ other OC candidates is heading elsewhere. Thomas Brown is going to Chicago to be the Bears pass-game coordinator under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Those two worked together in Los Angeles on the staff of Sean McVay with the Rams.
That news was broken by the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Tuesday night.
Brown served as the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator last season. The team finished 31st in offense. Brown and head coach Frank Reich flip-flopped play-calling duties at various points throughout the season.
Meanwhile, according to KPRC in Houston, Jerrod Johnson, the third Steelers OC candidate, is going to stay in Houston as the Texans quarterback coach on an upgraded contract.