Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is among the favorites to be the next head coach of the New York Jets, according to odds posted Thursday by SportsBetting.ag.
Smith is tied for the seventh-best odds to replace Robert Saleh as the New York Jets head coach at 25/1.
Former Tennessee Titans head coach and Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Mike Vrabel is the favorite at 1/2, followed by Detroit Lions coordinators Aaron Glenn (4/1) and Ben Johnson (7/10), Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen (12/1), and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley (20/1). Current interim head coach Jeff Ullrich also has 20/1 odds to get the full-time job.
Smith is coming off a three-year stint as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, during which, he amassed a 21-30 record and failed to finish better than third in the NFC South.
Smith was also connected to the North Carolina head coaching position, before it went to Bill Belichick. Smith said he removed his name from consideration at his alma mater and would be more cautious about seeking head coaching opportunities in the future after his experience in Atlanta.
“It’s nice when someone reaches out, sure, but again, I’ve got an awesome job here,” Smith 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.”
It’s unclear when the Jets will even be looking to make a hire for their next head coach. The team is currently interviewing candidates to replace fired head coach Joe Douglas.
Smith is tied with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady at 25/1.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores is next on the list at 33/1. Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has 40/1 odds.