With hiring of Arthur Smith as OC, Steelers should sign this QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers named Arthur Smith offensive coordinator on Tuesday, bringing an abrupt end to a search that also included Jerrod Johnson of the Houston Texans, Zac Robinson of the Los Angeles Rams and others.

Smith's hiring answers one of the most pressing questions about the future of the Steelers offense. Now, all attention turns to a potential quarterback battle between Kenny Pickett and an unknown set of challengers, which could include Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill found great success while Smith served as Tennessee's offensive coordinator from 2019-2020. Over those two seasons, he threw for 55 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. That was considerably better than his previous two seasons in Miami, where he tossed 36 touchdowns and 21 picks.

In Tennessee, Smith's run-heavy offense ran through running back Derrick Henry, opening up the passing game for Tannehill. Smith, who the Falcons fired as head coach in early January, was instrumental in recharging Tannehill's career and the Titans offense as a whole.

In the 2019 playoffs, Tannehill guided the Titans past Tom Brady and the Patriots before toppling top-seeded Baltimore in the following round. Tennessee lost to Kansas City in the AFC title game. 

Tannehill earned Comeback Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press and the Professional Football Writers of America that season.

In 2023, Tannehill — a free agent this offseason — threw for four touchdowns and seven picks and was replaced by rookie Will Levis. 

In Pittsburgh, meanwhile, the backup QB situation is in flux. The Mitch Trubisky experiment floundered, and many expect the Steelers to cut him to free cap space. Mason Rudolph, who played well down the stretch, is a free agent and could leave the Steelers.

Tannehill, an 11-year veteran, is approaching the end of his career, but he has a proven track record with Smith and his schemes. With a good running game featuring Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren (1,819 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns combined in 2023), the Steelers could take pressure off Tannehill.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the plan is to start Pickett in 2024, although he plans on bringing in competition. Tannehill isn't a long-term solution at the position, but he and a late-round pick of a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft could put enough heat on Pickett to up his game.