Arthur Smith Rumors on Chargers, Titans HC Interviews After Mike Tomlin's Steelers Exit

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has head coaching interviews lined up with multiple teams following his team's playoff loss.

The Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans have requested interviews with Smith since the Steelers' Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans on Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday.

Smith is set to interview Wednesday with the Titans, where he is "well-liked in the building," according to Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated.

The Los Angeles Chargers also reportedly requested an interview with Smith, per Rapoport.

Before spending the last two years spending the Steelers' offense, Smith coached the Atlanta Falcons to three straight 7-10 seasons between 2021 and 2023.

The Steelers are also in the market for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down from the position following his 19th season with the team.

Tomlin's departure came after the Steelers were held to just two field goals and six points in a 30-6 AFC Wild Card loss to the Texans that extended the franchise's playoff win drought to nine seasons.

Smith helped the Steelers rack up the 11th-most rushing yards in the NFL during his first season with the franchise despite quarterback uncertainty that saw the team switch between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024.

Having Aaron Rodgers for the entirety of the next season didn't help the Steelers' offensive production improve in 2025.

Pittsburgh ranked 25th in overall offensive yards, while ranking 26th in rushing offense and 22nd in passing offense, during Smith's second season with the team.

The Titans could be hoping Smith will find more success with their franchise both due to his past head coaching experience and his familiarity with Tennessee, where he worked from 2011 to 2020 in various roles including tight ends coach and offensive coordinator.

Smith also has ties to the Cardinals through general manager Monti Ossenfort, whose time in the Titans' front office overlapped with Smith's tenure with the team.

The Titans and Cardinals are two of nine teams currently seeking a new coach ahead of the 2026 season.

Multiple other former head coaches, including recent dismissals like John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski as well coordinators with past head coaching experience like Smith, Raheem Morris and Brian Flores, have received interest as potential hires.