A deal for Arthur Smith to join the Steelers is reportedly close, according to AP sources, weeks after his dismissal in Atlanta.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are seeking to revitalize their struggling offense by bringing in Arthur Smith, pending an agreement reported by multiple anonymous sources to The Associated Press on Tuesday. Smith, recently fired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after three disappointing seasons, showed promise as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020, where the team ranked 12th and then 2nd in total offense. However, his success didn’t carry over to Atlanta, where the team consistently ranked poorly in yards and points during his tenure.

Despite Pittsburgh’s 10-7 record and playoff appearance, their offense ranked poorly in yards (25th) and points (28th), only showing signs of life towards the end of the season under third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph. Steelers president Art Rooney II expressed confidence in starting quarterback Kenny Pickett but stressed the need for improved quarterback play. He also hinted at Rudolph’s potential return to compete during training camp.

Smith’s primary task, regardless of the quarterback, will be to devise a strategy that generates more points to alleviate pressure on the team’s star-studded defense. Pittsburgh has struggled offensively in recent years, leading to the mid-season firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Despite the challenges, the team has promising talent in running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, wide receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Rooney emphasized the importance of hiring someone who can elevate the offense to a consistently high level, a feat not achieved since the “Killer B” era with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell. Despite their competitiveness, the Steelers have faltered in the postseason, losing five consecutive playoff games, four by double-digit margins.

Smith’s coaching style aligns well with Pittsburgh’s vision of a physical, run-focused team, as demonstrated by his success with Derrick Henry in Tennessee. This potential partnership reflects the Steelers’ commitment to returning their offense to prominence.