Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith won’t spend much energy thinking about a potential job opportunity before the playoffs.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Tennessee Titans submitted a request to interview Smith for their head coaching vacancy. Smith acknowledged that the Titans reached out, but he told reporters Thursday that he’s only thinking about Pittsburgh’s first-round matchup against the Houston Texans.
“The NFL cycle is what it is, but that’s not something I’m going to focus on because the only thing that matters is my current job,” Smith said, via Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly. “I tell people all the time, live in the present … It’s a waste of time to worry about the future.”
Smith called any job discussions a “distraction” from his current task.
“All my focus is on our guys, these guys,” Smith added. “Anything I take away from that is not doing my job. So all I care about is the Steelers and our players.”
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Smith spent 10 seasons in Tennessee, working his way up to offensive coordinator in 2019 before becoming the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach two years later. The Steelers have ranked 23rd and 25th in total offense during his two seasons, but they jumped to 16th and 15th in scoring after finishing 28th in 2023.
The 43-year-old can’t afford any distractions as he prepares Aaron Rodgers and Co. for a difficult matchup against Houston’s top-ranked defense. A strong showing could make Smith a more attractive head coaching candidate, but he’d have to wait at least three days after Monday night’s game to interview.
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