Arthur Smith’s Future in Limbo as Chargers Opt for Mike McDaniel
The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to bring in Mike McDaniel as their next offensive coordinator, per multiple reports. That move likely closes the door on Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith’s chances at landing one of the league’s top offensive jobs - at least for now.
Smith had interviewed for the Chargers' vacant OC position, but with McDaniel poised to take the reins in L.A., it marks the second time this offseason Smith has come up short in his pursuit of a new role. He also missed out on the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator job and the Tennessee Titans’ head coaching position.
He’s still in the mix for the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching vacancy after interviewing with the team, but Arizona has yet to name a replacement. If that door closes too, Smith could find himself without a clear path to either a head coaching or offensive coordinator gig heading into 2026.
For now, Smith remains under contract with the Steelers through the 2025 season - even as the franchise begins a major transition following Mike Tomlin’s decision to step down as head coach last week.
During a press conference, team president Art Rooney II made it clear that internal candidates aren’t expected to be in the running for the top job.
“Right now, I don’t think anybody on our staff is a candidate,” Rooney said. “Maybe a candidate to stay on the staff depending on what the new head coach wants to do, but probably not as a head coach.”
That’s a strong signal that the Steelers are looking outside the building for their next leader - and while Smith may not be in line for a promotion, he could still stick around depending on how the new head coach wants to structure the staff. There’s precedent for that in Pittsburgh. When Tomlin took over in 2007, both Dick LeBeau and Bruce Arians - coordinators from the previous regime - remained on staff and played key roles in the early years of his tenure.
Smith, 43, came to Pittsburgh after a three-year stint as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, where he posted a 7-10 record in each season before being let go. His time in Pittsburgh has been something of a redemption arc.
In 2023, the Steelers ranked 28th in scoring under then-OC Matt Canada. In Smith’s first season, the offense jumped to 16th, and in 2025, they climbed one more spot to 15th. That kind of improvement - especially with a roster that didn’t exactly scream “explosive” on paper - helped rebuild some of Smith’s reputation around the league.
Midway through last season, Smith reportedly turned down an opportunity to return to his alma mater, North Carolina, as head coach - a job that eventually went to none other than Bill Belichick. He was also a finalist for the New York Jets’ head coaching job, which ultimately went to Aaron Glenn.
So now, Smith finds himself in a familiar place - caught between opportunity and uncertainty. His track record in Pittsburgh shows he can elevate an offense, even without elite weapons. But as the NFL coaching carousel continues to spin, the question is whether another team will give him the keys to run the show - or if he’ll be back in black and gold next fall, waiting for the next door to open.