First Call: Ex-Steelers O-lineman lukewarm on Arthur Smith hire; decisions are made by Steelers’ others candidates
Share this post:
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.
This hire just tells me they see Kenny’s limitations and want to emphasize the run game and take as much as they can off the QBs plate. Hoping to recreate what was in Tennessee from a few years ago. The problem with that is, despite a few playoff wins, there was a hard ceiling…
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) January 30, 2024
If you don’t think this hire was made with a wide eyed and all encompassing analysis of what Kenny has been and what they think he can become, I don’t know what to tell you. They are going to give him every opportunity to win the job, but after 25 games, they understand his…
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) January 30, 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.
Definitely not my 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice but….. he’s here now. If anything, our running game will benefit and a healthy dose of playaction pass will be implemented. Should help whoever is the QB next year. Glass half full. Let’s see if he can make this thing work.…
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) January 30, 2024
Positive Pants Take:
Because of this hire, they will emphasize improvement on the OL thru the draft & free agency. Center in the 1st or 2nd round and the one of the top tackles in free agency. #HereWeGo
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) January 30, 2024
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.
Former #Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown is joining the #Bears as their pass game coordinator, per sources.
Brown, 37, was voted the NFL’s No. 2 OC in a recent NFLPA player poll. It’s a reunion for him and Shane Waldron, who were on Sean McVay’s staff together in L.A. pic.twitter.com/agUKRjeFMe
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2024
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.
More sports
• Tim Benz: Steelers’ reported hiring of Arthur Smith is as logical as it is uninspired
• Lars Eller remains 1 constant on Penguins’ oft-changing 3rd line
• Pitt looks to duplicate its road success when Panthers come home to meet Wake Forest
Looking for Luke
Steel Valley product Luke Getsy is still on the coaching carousel. The Munhall product and one-time Pitt Panther is reportedly interviewing for open offensive coordinator jobs in New England and New Orleans.
That’s according to Monday Morning Quarterback’s” Albert Breer.
Ex-Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is in New England today interviewing with the Patriots and will have a second interview for the Saints OC job tomorrow in New Orleans, per sources.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 30, 2024
Getsy had been the offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears in 2022 and 2023. Prior to that, he was the Green Bay Packers passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2019-21.
Unique competition
After winning back-to-back games in Atlantic 10 play, the Duquesne Dukes are venturing out of conference against an interesting opponent at the UPMC Copper Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.
The Chicago State Cougars are in town. As of this year, they are the nation’s only independent college basketball team. They played an independent schedule last year as well and will join the NEC next season.
Believe it or not, Chicago State has already played 26 games this year. They are 11-15. Their season will end Feb. 19. Last year they went 11-20. The Cougars basically play games whenever and wherever they can get them. As teams get deeper into conference play, the well tends to come up dry. So this is one of their last games of the season. But in November and December they were playing three or four games per week on a pro-style schedule.
Their biggest win so far was a 75-73 upset over then-No. 25 Northwestern. They have also played Power 6 foes such as Kansas State, DePaul, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin.
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. as the Dukes (11-8, 2-5) look for a third straight win after beating St. Bonaventure and Fordham.