Under Arthur Smith, Steelers set to prove strong running game is key to NFL success

[hawaiiansteel]

Under OC Arthur Smith, Steelers set to prove strong running game is key to NFL success

JOE RUTTER | Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024

https://triblive.com/sports/under-oc-arthur-smith-steelers-set-to-prove-strong-running-game-is-key-to-nfl-success/

[hawaiiansteel]

Former Titans OT Taylor Lewan praises Steelers OC Arthur Smith

Smith was Lewan's offensive coordinator from 2019-20

By Jarrett Bailey Feb 4, 2024

Taylor Lewan says Arthur Smith will make the Steelers Deadly in 2024: Arthur Smith is the reason why we made it to the 2019 AFC Championship. He's gonna walk in there and take pressure off whoever the quarterback is going to be. Najee Harris is the guy who will smile the most when the season ends about how he's utilized throughout that offense.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2024/2/4/24061464/former-titans-ot-taylor-lewan-praises-steelers-oc-arthur-smith-btsc-nfl-rich-eisen-show

[NorthCoast]

It occurred to me that the Smith signing as OC almost guarantees Harris will get the 5th year option, which will be around $6M.

[NorthCoast]

First downs are gonna look a whole lot different in PIT:

Falcons	2023	55%	44%	-9.7%		14%	29%	8%	19%	9%	18%	20%	13%	10%	2%	53%
Steelers	2023	56%	43%	-6.2%		62%	18%	3%	0%	0%	13%	50%	29%	1%	1%	16%

[Northern_Blitz]

It occurred to me that the Smith signing as OC almost guarantees Harris will get the 5th year option, which will be around $6M.

I'm still hoping that we can do an extension instead of the option.

But you're probably right.

[Captain Lemming]

I'm still hoping that we can do an extension instead of the option.

But you're probably right.

Oh no you di-int.

Yall gon' make Joel lose his mind
Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make him go all out
Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make Joel act a fool
Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make him lose his cool
Up in here, up in here

[Northern_Blitz]

Oh no you di-int.

Yall gon' make Joel lose his mind
Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make him go all out
Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make Joel act a fool
Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make him lose his cool
Up in here, up in here

FWIW, I think doing the 5th year option with Najee isn't a good move.

Because it's a good amount of guaranteed money and it's for too far into the future for a RB IMO.

I'd rather set up a 2-3 year extension that gives him money now in a signing bonus and then is a pay as you go contract where the salary could be in that same range, but it doesn't hurt to cut him if he falls off a cliff.

[Oviedo]

It occurred to me that the Smith signing as OC almost guarantees Harris will get the 5th year option, which will be around $6M.

No issue with that, but would prefer they do a 2-3 year extension.

The combination of Weidl building the draft board and Smith means we are going to get much better on the Off Line. Isn't that what some have been b!tching about for years, but they are the same ones who don't like the Smith hire. You have to have a strong run game when you have MAJOR question marks at QB.

Also, remember the #1 seed in the AFC was the run first Raven (still hate them).

[WindyCitySteel]

So what is the ceiling if Smith does what he did in Tennessee? Najee is no Henry and Kenny isn't as good as Tannehill. Will our OL be as good? Maybe with a good draft. Our defense should be better than Tennessee's.

Anyway, that team won 9 and 11 games. Gave KC a scare before Mahomes turned on the jets, then gave Lamar Jackson his first playoff win in an ugly game. Averaged 130 yards passing in four playoff games.

[hawaiiansteel]

Love from LeBeau

A former Steelers coaching legend is giving a thumbs up to Arthur Smith as the new Steelers offensive coordinator.

I can see him in Black and Gold pretty easy with the philosophical approach Pittsburgh has always taken in football, LeBeau told Steelers Depot Sunday. I think Arthur will fit perfect for them. You can give Coach Smith my [highest] endorsement. I know that he will do everything in his power to get things rolling on that side of the ball.

LeBeau and Smith overlapped on the Tennessee Titans staff from 2015-17

LeBeau was the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Smith was coaching tight ends on that staff during those years before becoming the offensive coordinator.

I know him well, said LeBeau. He's a good, smart, hard-working, young coach. He's a real good family man, a great guy.

https://triblive.com/sports/first-call-dick-lebeau-endorses-arthur-smith-as-steelers-oc-notre-dame-lands-sons-of-ex-steelers/

[NorthCoast]

It occurred to me that the Smith signing as OC almost guarantees Harris will get the 5th year option, which will be around $6M.

Correction according to this; Harris will cost nearly $7M! At that level they might not be willing to sign Warren when his contract is due.

(I also understand now why Pickens was upset on not getting a Pro Bowl nod. That option is worth nearly $5M!!

[feltdizz]

Correction according to this; Harris will cost nearly $7M! At that level they might not be willing to sign Warren when his contract is due.

(I also understand now why Pickens was upset on not getting a Pro Bowl nod. That option is worth nearly $5M!!

$7 mill is not a lot of money for a RB in 2024.

[Northern_Blitz]

Correction according to this; Harris will cost nearly $7M! At that level they might not be willing to sign Warren when his contract is due.

(I also understand now why Pickens was upset on not getting a Pro Bowl nod. That option is worth nearly $5M!!

IMO best case here is still an extension with less guaranteed money.

I personally don't like the idea of guaranteeing a bunch of money to a RB 2 seasons out. Particularly since Najee's been good but not great. But I won't be surprised if / when we do this.

While Pickens can't get a 5th year option, I think this highlights the plausibility of the WRs leading the charge for having Mason over Kenny. More than any other position in football, WRs are reliant on the play of someone else (QB) to get paid.

[Northern_Blitz]

$7 mill is not a lot of money for a RB in 2024.

I think this is not true. There are only 7 RBs in the league that have a higher AAV than the 5th year option value (McCaffrey, Kamara, Taylor, Chubb, Jacobs, Jones, Barkley, Pollard, Conner).

https://overthecap.com/position/running-back

Should Najee be the 8th highest paid RB in the league?

[feltdizz]

I think this is not true. There are only 7 RBs in the league that have a higher AAV than the 5th year option value (McCaffrey, Kamara, Taylor, Chubb, Jacobs, Jones, Barkley, Pollard, Conner).

https://overthecap.com/position/running-back

Should Najee be the 8th highest paid RB in the league?

He was the 7th leading rusher this year and has 3 straight 1,000 yard seasons and we all know this OL has been mediocre at best.

Look a how Najee finished this season once we benched Chuks too. He’s built for inside running in the AFCN.

Over the last 3 years Najee is the 4th highest rusher in the NFL.

Def worth it. Just give the man a real OL.