The New York Jets have officially requested an interview with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their vacant head coach position, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The Jets had repeatedly been linked to Smith since firing head coach Robert Saleh in early October. Monday was the first day they could officially request an interview. With the Steelers still playing in the 2024 NFL postseason, in-person interviews with coaches under contract cannot take place until Jan. 20, at the earliest. Virtual interviews can take place starting three days after the Steelers season ends.
CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson recently reported that in addition to Smith, the Jets are also interested in speaking to Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury for their head coach vacancy. The Jets have also interviewed former Steelers linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for their position. Former Jets head coach and current ESPN personality Rex Ryan is also expected to interview.
By NFL rule, the Steelers cannot block Smith from interviewing for or accepting the position. It’s unclear if Smith has an interest in the job. Smith turned down the North Carolina head coaching job that eventually went to Bill Belichick, but he’s expected to receive strong consideration from several teams during the NFL head coach cycle in January.
Smith said that UNC had reached out to him as part of a preliminary search, and though he loves his alma mater, he is not focused on being a head coach at the college level right now.
“The reality is, they reached out on a preliminary call. I love that place, but that’s not my focus,” he said. “I mean, I’ve got one of the best jobs in football right now. There’s a lot to be said to you can’t put a price on personal and professional happiness, which I have here. I love that place. I appreciate it.”
Smith’s perspective has changed after his experience as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23. After that stint as a head coach — the first of his coaching career — he doesn’t sound like someone that is desperate to get back to that place. He’s said multiple times this season how much he has enjoyed the burden of decisions being placed on Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin instead of his desk.
“It’s nice when someone reaches out, sure, but again, I’ve got an awesome job here,” he said. “I love it here in Pittsburgh. Probably a different mindset than I had five, four years ago. Any head job, I probably would’ve walked there to take it. Now, my perspective is different. When you’ve got something good, like I’ve got here in Pittsburgh right now, my family loves it, I like the working environment, I love being a Steeler.”
Smith was in the running for the Jets HC position in 2021, but the organization hired Saleh instead. Smith went on to take the head coaching job in Atlanta.
NFL insider Dianna Russini also revealed in The Athletic this summer that the Jets talked to Smith about a role helping Nathaniel Hackett. Essentially a de-facto OC position.
Smith rejected the offer, however, because the Jets were not clear about the role, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The opportunity to coach with Mike Tomlin and be a part of the Steelers organization was more appealing to Smith.
The Steelers are scheduled to play the Jets at MetLife Stadium in 2025.
