Report: New York Jets considered hiring new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith

If the Jets had gone through with demoting Nathaniel Hackett, then there’s a chance that the Steelers wouldn’t have Arthur Smith revamping their offense.

This is according to The Athletic and their new podcast, Scoop City. The report said that the Jets contacted Smith, whom the Steelers hired in January, to test his interest in switching jobs. But nothing came of it.

Pro Football Talk then reported that Smith wasn’t interested in the job with the Jets, or in another way of looking at it, Aaron Rodgers’ offensive coordinator. PFT said Smith wasn’t interested because the role wasn’t a defined one. PFT said that the Jets were looking for someone to supervise Hackett, who has primary play-calling responsibilities.

But none of this happened. Both teams were in need of an offensive makeover. The Steelers needed a change after firing Matt Canada. Meanwhile, the Jets were one of the worst offenses in the NFL last season. It certainly didn’t help that Rodgers blew out his Achilles four offensive snaps into the season opener. But Rodgers is healthy again and Zach Wilson, who became the NY starter again, is now in Denver.

Steelers will continue new offensive install when training camp starts next Wednesday

The Steelers start training camp next Wednesday (July 24), so fans can start seeing the changes Smith is making on offense. He spent the past three seasons as head coach of the Falcons after working as offensive coordinator for the Titans. But Atlanta and Smith parted ways in January, allowing the Steelers to quickly move in and add Smith as OC.

When free agency began in March, the Steelers began making bold offensive moves. Of course, the biggest were at quarterback. Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson and traded with the Bears for Justin Fields. They then sent Kenny Pickett, the starter the past two seasons, to the Eagles. And then they declined to re-sign Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky, each of whom started games for them last season. In addition, journeyman Kyle Allen was added to the QB depth chart, while the Steelers signed undrafted rookie free agent John Rhys Plumlee, who was the third pick this week in the UFL Draft.

The Steelers also sent receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. The running backs remained the same, although Pittsburgh declined to pick up the fifth-year option of Najee Harris. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the 2024 season if the Steelers don’t try to sign him to a different deal.

Meanwhile, Jets rookies will report to training camp today, with Rodgers and his fellow vets showing up next Tuesday for Wednesday’s first full practice. Hackett still will be there as Rodgers’ playcaller, just as he was when both were with the Packers.