Could Arthur Smith Be the Titans’ Next Head Coach? A Familiar Face Might Be on Their Radar
The Tennessee Titans are still searching for their next head coach, and the longer the vacancy remains open, the louder the questions get. After parting ways with Mike Vrabel, a move that’s already drawing second-guessing from around the league, the Titans are staring at a tough rebuild. And if they’re looking for someone who knows the DNA of the franchise - someone who’s already walked their halls and helped build their past success - Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is a name that keeps surfacing.
Smith’s name has quietly been in the mix since back in October, shortly after the Titans let go of former head coach Brian Callahan. While nothing official has emerged recently, the connection is hard to ignore.
Smith spent a decade in Tennessee, climbing the coaching ladder and eventually serving as offensive coordinator during some of the team’s most productive seasons in recent memory. His ties to Vrabel and the organization run deep, and that history could earn him a serious look.
A Return to Nashville?
Smith is currently in his first season as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator, and it’s been a rollercoaster. Early on, he helped get promising results from both Justin Fields and veteran Russell Wilson, bringing a sense of structure and identity to a Steelers offense that had lacked both in recent years.
But the wheels came off late in the season. Pittsburgh dropped its final five games in dramatic fashion, a collapse that’s raised eyebrows and cast some doubt on Smith’s long-term impact.
Even so, there’s no denying he brought a level of stability to the Steelers’ offense. He’s not known for flashy play-calling or high-octane schemes, but Smith’s philosophy - establish the run, build the pass game off of it - has worked in the right situations. It’s a throwback mindset in a league that’s constantly evolving, and while it doesn’t always produce fireworks, it can bring structure and identity to a team in need of both.
That’s exactly where the Titans find themselves.
The Case For (and Against) Arthur Smith
Smith’s head coaching experience with the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2023 is part of the puzzle. He never posted a winning season there, which is a mark against him.
But he also inherited a roster in transition and managed to keep the Falcons competitive despite the lack of elite talent at key positions. That résumé, combined with his earlier success in Tennessee, should be enough to get him in the room for interviews - even if he’s not the frontrunner.
The Titans are clearly at a crossroads. They’ve got a roster that needs work, a fanbase hungry for progress, and a front office that can’t afford to miss on this next hire. Smith offers familiarity, a proven ability to work with quarterbacks, and a steady hand - all valuable traits for a team looking to rebuild its foundation.
On the flip side, his offensive approach doesn’t always mesh with today’s pass-heavy NFL, and his recent track record in Pittsburgh is mixed. If the Titans are looking to recapture the identity they had during their playoff-caliber seasons under Vrabel, Smith makes sense. But if they’re aiming for a more modern, forward-thinking approach, they may explore other options.
What It Means for Pittsburgh
If Smith does land the Titans job, it would leave the Steelers with yet another key position to fill. Pittsburgh is already dealing with its own questions after a disappointing end to the season, and losing Smith would add another layer of change heading into 2026. Whether that’s seen as a setback or an opportunity depends on how the organization views his impact in Year 1.
For now, the Titans’ search continues, but don’t be surprised if Arthur Smith gets a call. He’s been there before, helped build something meaningful, and in a league where relationships and familiarity still matter, that may be enough to put him back in the conversation.