The Detroit Lions' 2025 failures were defined by a previously explosive offense lacking identity and the inability to create big plays. Even though offensive coordinator John Morton has been removed from the equation, the Lions are making another mistake by requesting an interview with Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith for the vacant role, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The veteran coach is known for running an archaic system built around predictable and repetitive route concepts and pounding the football.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, this translated to scoring all of six points in a wildcard first-round exit.
Smith's previous tenure was with the Atlanta Falcons as a head coach, where he went 21-30 in his three seasons. This included a final year where running back Bijan Robinson was obviously a star option, and Smith preferred to run jet sweeps to tight end Jonnu Smith or hand the ball off to power back Tyler Allgeier for predictable up-the-middle runs.
It's a philosophy that has been on full display during Smith's time with Pittsburgh and adds to why Smith cannot be a legitimate consideration for the Lions.
Arthur Smith Isn't Who Lions Need for Their Next OC
Hiring Smith would be a backward move, with the Lions far better off just allowing head coach Dan Campbell to call the plays. While Campbell was incredibly inconsistent, at least he attempted a modicum of creativity and outside-the-box thinking. Hiring Smith ends this and would make Detroit a boring offense, likely bringing out the worst version of quarterback Jared Goff. Smith hasn't coached a quarterback to play at a high level since Ryan Tannehill in the 2019 season.
Pushing this point further, Smith was in charge of a Steeler offense that finished 15th in the league, averaging 23.4 points per game. The Lions' attack was far from perfect, yet Campbell and Morton's combined effort still had them averaging 28.3 PPG — fifth-best in the NFL.
In other words, Detroit is better off thinking creatively, either looking to steal a piece of ex-OC Ben Johnson's coaching tree to recreate what was, or bringing in someone else whose fresh ideas will benefit playmakers like Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Smith doesn't fit this description after two underwhelming seasons with Pittsburgh. The Lions are better off putting effort into targeting someone like Mike McDaniel before considering Smith as an option. While hiring the former Miami Dolphins head coach is likely an uphill battle due to how in-demand he is, his offensive creativity and youth make him a much better fit for the modern-day Lions.
Settling for Smith would be a huge mistake for the Lions, who need an OC that can take advantage of their embarrassment of offensive riches. The entire point of cutting ties with Morton was to breathe life back into the offense in an effort to rekindle the unit's explosivity. Hiring Smith pushes Detroit in the complete opposite direction, almost guaranteeing that the offense will be an issue again next season, given how his stint with the Steelers went.
It's safe to say that Lions fans won't (or, shouldn't) shed a tear if Smith bombs his interview.