After two seasons as offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith looks destined to exit Pittsburgh. The question is where he goes. Drawing interest as a head coach and coordinator, the Los Angeles Chargers are the latest team to reach out and schedule Smith. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Smith is being considered for the Chargers’ vacant OC role.

#Steelers OC Arthur Smith was requested to interview for the #Chargers vacant OC position, source said.

Smith has significant OC interest and is also a HC candidate. PIT averaged their most points since 2020 this season. He had a top 5 offense as a Titans OC. pic.twitter.com/TP8I2Yh7Hr

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2026

Previously, Smith had received interview requests for the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals head coaching jobs. He’s also been tabbed for a coordinator interview with the Detroit Lions. Smith is not a candidate to be the Steelers’ next head coach and it seems doubtful he’ll return as offensive coordinator no matter who Pittsburgh hires to replace Mike Tomlin.

Because this is a lateral move, the Steelers could technically block it. But there’s no indication Pittsburgh will. The PPG’s Gerry Dulac reported days ago all Steelers’ coaches were free to look for other jobs. Special teams coordinator Danny Smith held a virtual interview for the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Chargers are looking to replace Greg Roman, fired by Jim Harbaugh after a failed Wild Card loss to the New England Patriots. But Harbaugh appears to be attempting to stay true to his run-heavy and physical offense. Smith is regarded as one of the NFL’s most run-heavy coordinators who has generally had success scheming up ground games. While Pittsburgh’s 2025 surface-level rushing numbers don’t look impressive, the Steelers finished top-ten in run success rate and rushing EPA.

Smith is no stranger to calling NFL offenses. He held the role in 2019 and 2020 with the Tennessee Titans and during his three years as Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, 2021-2023. Smith again became a coordinator in 2024 with the Steelers, fielding more successful offenses than Pittsburgh has experienced in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Still, he as criticized for a too-basic drop back passing game and not keeping top offensive targets like WR DK Metcalf and TE Pat Freiermuth involved, preferring to spread the ball around instead.

Pittsburgh is not slated to play against Los Angeles during the 2026 season. If hired by the Chargers, the only potential game between both teams would occur in the postseason.