Steelers DL Cam Heyward defends Arthur Smith hire amid criticism

Arthur Smith, the newest Steelers offensive coordinator, probably still is looking for a place to live. He’s that new to the job. But his hiring prompted all sorts of negative blowback.

But it’s not coming from all corners of Steelers nation. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward, a Steelers team captain, says to give Smith a chance.

“Arthur Smith (was) balling out with Tennessee (Titans) all those years ago,” Heyward said this week on his “Not just Football” podcast. “I know he didn’t have all the success in Atlanta, and everybody is talking about it. … But, shoot, I’m happy about it.”

On Jan. 8, the Falcons parted ways with Smith, their head coach after he went 7–10 for three straight seasons. But before the Falcons, Smith worked a number of assistant jobs with the Titans, finishing his final season in 2019. That year, Smith replaced Matt LaFleur, who left to coach the Green Bay Packers. And with Smith calling plays, the Titans became one of the highest scoring teams in Tennessee history.

Smith, who is 41, has spent almost all of his coaching career in the NFL.

“It’s great to have an OC with some experience,” Heyward said. ”The main thing I loved about what he said was it’s all about relationships. You can have all the Xs and Os, but if you don’t have an OC who the players trust, it’s not going to work.”

Heyward doesn’t like criticism before new Steelers OC starts job

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin fired Matt Canada, the previous offensive coordinator, in November. It was the first time the Steelers made a mid-season coaching change in more than 80 years. Unlike Smith, Canada had zero NFL experience before Tomlin brought him to Pittsburgh.

Heyward said he’s heard and read the criticism hurled Smith’s way. That’s not the way Heyward works.

“I just don’t like condemning a guy before he gets the job,” Heyward said. “I understand he’s had success (in) one place and (Tennessee as OC) and didn’t have success in his last job (Atlanta as head coach). Let’s just calm down. Let’s pump the brakes. You can have urgency and be positive about it and be optimistic about it.”

The Steelers, who finished 10–7 in the regular season, lost in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Tomlin received criticism as well. He walked out of a post-playoff press conference when a reporter asked about his job security.

Heyward then used his social media platforms to support his Steelers head coach.