As the Steelers reshape their coaching staff, specifically on offense, more changes are rolling in for Mike Tomlin’s team.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers are moving on from wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson in light of Arthur Smith taking over as the team’s offensive coordinator.
“With a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, the Steelers are making some additional changes to their coaching staff. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Frisman Jackson will not return as the team’s receivers coach,” wrote Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “Jackson had been with Pittsburgh for the last two seasons.”
It was also noted by Dulac that the futures of quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner are unclear. The duo were the Steelers co-offensive coordinators after Pittsburgh fired Matt Canada during the season.
As for the aforementioned Smith, he was previously a long-time assistant with the Tennessee Titans, prior to becoming the Falcons head coach. He was the offensive coordinator for the Titans in 2019-20, before being hired by the Falcons ahead of the 2021 season.
Arthur Smith was the head coach in Atlanta from 2021-23, before being fired at the conclusion of the 2023 season. He finished 7-10 in all three seasons in Atlanta, including this past season when he was let go. The Falcons hired Raheem Morris to replace Smith as head coach.
The Steelers were looking for a new offensive coordinator after ranking No. 25 in total offense in the NFL this past season. Pittsburgh averaged 186.1 passing yards and 118.2 rushing yards in 2023.
During his two seasons as an offensive coordinator, the Titans ranked No. 12 and No. 3 in total offense.
Smith will be in charge of a Steelers unit that has some talented young players but that struggled with consistency in 2023. Pittsburgh is also still uncertain about its long-term future at quarterback after Kenny Pickett had an up-and-down season this past year.
One of the biggest goals for Arthur Smith in 2024 will be to get the Steelers’ running game going, behind running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris.
As for Frisman Jackson, it’s evident he wasn’t a part of Arthur Smith’s plans, and he’ll now be looking for a new gig in the NFL.
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