The Tennessee Titans are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator, and the names surfacing in the conversation are as intriguing as they are polarizing. Among the candidates: Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Daboll, Bobby Slowik, Adam Stenavich-and yes, Arthur Smith, the former Falcons head coach and longtime Titans assistant.
Smith’s inclusion on that list may raise some eyebrows, especially considering how his offenses have performed since he left Tennessee in 2020. But it also speaks volumes about the respect he still commands inside the Titans' building. Smith spent a decade-plus climbing the ranks in Nashville, and despite recent struggles, his familiarity with the organization and relationships with ownership could give him a legitimate shot at a reunion.
Let’s unpack the situation.
Titans Need the Right Fit for Cam Ward
With Robert Saleh now steering the ship as head coach-a defensive-minded one at that-the Titans know they need a seasoned offensive voice to guide Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in 2025. That’s the priority. Ward’s development is the franchise’s future, and whoever steps in as OC will be tasked with turning raw talent into production fast.
That’s why the Titans are casting a wide net. Daboll, who helped unlock Josh Allen in Buffalo, would be a home-run hire on paper.
But there’s a wrinkle: with the Bills parting ways with Sean McDermott, Daboll is now a serious candidate to return to Buffalo as head coach. If that happens, Tennessee’s list narrows-and Smith could climb toward the top.
Arthur Smith’s Recent Track Record
Now, let’s be real: Smith’s offenses in Atlanta and Pittsburgh haven’t exactly lit up the scoreboard. Since leaving Tennessee, his units have consistently ranked in the bottom third of the league. In fact, four of the last five seasons, his offenses have finished in the bottom 10 in total yardage.
That’s not just a slump-it’s a trend.
In Atlanta, Smith had promising young talent at his disposal-Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts-but couldn’t get the most out of them. In Pittsburgh, despite taking over as offensive coordinator, the results were similarly underwhelming. The Steelers' playoff loss to Houston was a particularly rough outing: just six points on the board in a blowout defeat.
And while it’s easy to point fingers at quarterback play or roster limitations, the consistent lack of offensive production under Smith is hard to ignore.
Why He’s Still in the Mix
Despite the numbers, Smith remains in the conversation-and that’s not just nostalgia talking. Titans ownership, particularly Amy Adams Strunk, has long been a fan of Smith. That kind of organizational backing matters, especially when a franchise is navigating a coaching transition and a young quarterback’s development.
There’s also something to be said for Smith’s previous success in Tennessee. His 2019 and 2020 offenses with the Titans were among the league’s most efficient, leaning on a power run game with Derrick Henry and a vertical passing attack that suited Ryan Tannehill’s strengths. That version of Smith-a balanced, creative play-caller who tailored his scheme to his personnel-is the one Tennessee remembers.
The question is: can he rediscover that version of himself?
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about Arthur Smith. It’s about the Titans’ direction under Robert Saleh and how they plan to build around Cam Ward.
They need an OC who can scheme to Ward’s strengths, develop him as a passer, and keep defenses guessing. Whether that’s someone like Daboll with a proven quarterback development résumé, or a return to a familiar face in Smith, the decision will shape the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
For now, the Titans are doing their due diligence. Smith may not be the flashiest name on the list, and his recent track record gives plenty of reason for pause. But in a league where relationships and familiarity still carry weight, don’t be surprised if Tennessee seriously considers bringing him back into the fold.
The Titans need to get this hire right. Cam Ward’s future-and by extension, theirs-depends on it.