Jan. 15, 2026, 4:01 p.m. ET
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Detroit Lions have requested an interview with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for the Lions‘ vacant offensive coordinator position.
Given that it’s a lateral move, the Steelers are required to allow the Lions permission to talk to Smith, but Penn Live’s sources indicate that the Steelers will allow Smith to interview for other similar jobs.
In addition to his offensive coordinator interview with the Lions, Smith is set to interview with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans for their head coach openings.
The Steelers ranked 25th in total offense (305.6 yards per game), 22nd in passing yards (202.4), 26th in rushing (103.3) and 15th in scoring offense (23.4 points per game). The 2025 campaign was Smith’s second season as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.
Pittsburgh ranked 11th in rushing offense in 2024, averaging 127.4 rushing yards per game that season. Prior to joining Pittsburgh, Smith served as the Atlanta Falcons‘ head coach from 2021-23.
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While in Atlanta during the 2022 season, the Falcons led the NFL in fewest penalties, finished third in rushing yards per game (159.9) and ranked third in successful play rate on rushing attempts, based on EPA. In 2023, the Falcons’ rushing offense ranked ninth (127.0) and 13th in passing yards per attempt.
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