Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith thinks the sky’s the limit for the offense with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center. Quite simply, the four-time NFL MVP is one of the best to ever do it.
“I’ve gotten to know Aaron outside of football the last couple of years. You talk about one of the all-time great quarterbacks and the things he accomplished in this league,” Smith said. “I’ve really enjoyed obviously getting to know him as a player-coach relationship with the football stuff.
“Just really excited to have him here. It’s gonna be a fun journey. I know we’re a couple days in, but he’s been awesome.”
Smith is well-known for his run-first mentality and usage of multiple tight ends, but he made it clear that it won’t be a three yards and a cloud of dust type of offense.
“We didn’t bring Aaron in here and sign DK for all that money to go run the wishbone,” he said.
Rodgers and Smith have reportedly already developed a strong working relationship as they look to tailor the team’s offensive scheme around Rodgers’ skill set.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the two have been in “constant communication” throughout the offseason, working to “reconfigure the offense” and “find a sweet spot where Rodgers can still do all the things he likes to do at the line of scrimmage, while staying true to the system.”
At first glance, Smith’s offensive philosophy may appear like a significant adjustment for Rodgers. Smith has traditionally leaned on heavy personnel groupings, frequently using multiple tight ends and fullbacks to create leverage and numbers in the run game. His scheme is methodical, built on wide zone and duo run concepts that force defenses to commit an extra safety to the box , which then creates one-on-one opportunities on the perimeter.
Smith’s past offenses have also benefited from quarterbacks with mobility, such as Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota, and Desmond Ridder. That mobility allowed him to incorporate zone read and option elements to keep defenses honest.
Rodgers, now 41, may no longer possess the athleticism he once had, but he remains a highly efficient passer. In 2024, he threw for more than 3,800 yards with 28 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions, showing he still has the ability to produce at a high level. He’s more of a traditional dropback quarterback who thrives in spread formations and excels in West Coast passing concepts, often controlling protections and routes at the line.
While Rodgers and Smith may differ in both style and philosophy, there’s reason to believe the two can find common ground. Smith previously worked under Matt LaFleur in Tennessee when LaFleur served as the Titans’ offensive coordinator and Smith was the tight ends coach. Just one year later, LaFleur became the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, where he spent multiple seasons calling plays for Rodgers in a system rooted in similar wide zone principles.
Joe Fitzgerald contributed reporting for this story.
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