In a surprising move, the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly announced their new offensive coordinator for the 2024 season, former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach, Arthur Smith. Before his tenure with the Falcons, Smith gained recognition as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
Taylor Lewan, a former star offensive tackle for the Titans, shared his thoughts about Smith's capabilities and the impact he expects Smith to have on the Steelers, especially when it comes to utilizing star running back, Najee Harris.
Lewan, during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show, did not hold back when praising Smith. He acknowledged Smith's pivotal role in the Titans' journey to the AFC Championship in 2019, attributing their success to Smith's coaching prowess.
"Arthur Smith in 2019 is the reason why we made it to the AFC Championship. A guy like him, he's gonna walk in there, he's gonna take pressure off of whoever the quarterback happens to be.”
According to Lewan, Smith's ability to take the pressure off quarterbacks and strategically manage the offense, makes him a valuable asset for any team. His confidence in Smith's abilities is unwavering, regardless of the uncertainties surrounding the Steelers' quarterback situation for the upcoming season.
Steelers' Uncertain Quarterback Situation
As the Steelers approach the 2024 season, they face a quarterback dilemma. Mason Rudolph, the quarterback who started in the playoffs, is set to become a free agent, while Kenny Pickett's evaluation has been challenging due to his past experience in Matt Canada's system and a subsequent injury after Canada's departure.
Despite these uncertainties, Lewan believes that Harris will play a significant role in carrying the team's offensive load, and he anticipates that Harris will be delighted with how Smith employs him in the offense.
“Najee is the guy that's probably gonna smile the most when the season ends about how he's utilized throughout that offense."
Harris has emerged as one of the NFL's rising stars, with three consecutive seasons of rushing for over 1,000 yards. Since joining the Steelers as their primary running back, Harris has accumulated an impressive 3,269 yards and 22 touchdowns on 843 carries. His career average of 3.9 yards per carry showcases his consistency and effectiveness as a ball carrier.
Smith is renowned for his commitment to a strong run game and a well-executed play-action passing attack. His success with Derrick Henry during his time with the Titans is a testament to his ability to maximize a running back's potential. Smith's strategic play-calling led the Titans to the AFC title game in 2019, earning him the admiration and credit of players like Lewan.
As the Steelers gear up for the 2024 NFL season under the guidance of their new offensive coordinator, Smith, the excitement is building about how he plans to utilize the star running back, Harris. However, there's another player on the Steelers' roster who is likely to benefit from Smith's strategies – Jaylen Warren.
The talented running back had a breakout year and consistently played well for the Steelers' offense, even during challenging times. With the potential and productivity that both of these running backs bring to the table, Smith should have no trouble orchestrating a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield.
The Steelers' offense has the foundation built. It should be an exciting season for a team who has struggled on the offensive side of the ball for far too long. Lewan's enthusiastic endorsement of Smith's coaching abilities, combined with Harris' proven track record, suggests that Steelers fans have reason to be optimistic. With Smith's emphasis on a potent run game and innovative play-calling, the 2024 season could hold great promise for both Harris, Warren and the Steelers' offense.
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