The Steelers made their offensive coordinator official, as they signed former Falcons head coach and Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. While a lot has been said about the signing and the fan base seems split on the move, this group is officially his for 2024.
While he won’t have complete control of the roster, there is a chance that some names follow Smith to Pittsburgh. It is common for pending free agents to follow an old coach to their new location. Considering his recent tenures with the Titans and Falcons, here are five free agents that could follow Smith to the Steelers this offseason.
Steelers could sign Aaron Brewer
A face with the least amount of exposure to Smith, Aaron Brewer has beaten the odds as an undersized undrafted free agent. It took him two seasons, but he has since become the Titans starter. While his play hasn’t been flashy or elite, this past season was far and away Brewer’s best as a professional.
While center is likely one of the biggest needs for the Steelers this offseason, I am skeptical of adding a player like Brewer. Coming off a career year should see him get a respectable deal in free agency. That said, he lacks the size you want in a center, and outside of this season, he hasn’t been a great starter.
Frankly, I see Brewer as a one-for-one replacement for the caliber of player Mason Cole is. The contracts will likely be similar, but like Cole, I doubt that Brewer is a long-term solution for this offense. I’d rather a more proper investment be made instead of another band-aid solution in Brewer.
Steelers could sign Cordarrelle Patterson
Nine times out of ten, I would say that you should never sign a veteran running back who is over thirty years old. This is especially true when you already have two running backs playing well for you. Cordarrelle Patterson breaks this mold for me though, and I think that he would be a great addition to this offense.
While Patterson was drafted as a receiver, he quickly flamed out there. As time went on, he settled into a role as a returner before the Patriots converted him to a running back. He has never taken on a huge workload as a result of this, so there could be some tread on the tires for Patterson still.
He could be signed as the third back for this room, a position that is wide open right now. Patterson can also serve as a return man arguably his most valuable role for a team. While the opportunities wouldn’t be plentiful, he has proven to make the most out of a little. His contract should be on the cheaper side of things as well.
Smith showed his desire to use a committee of running backs while with the Falcons. While Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will receive the majority of snaps, a capable third back like Patterson can alleviate some of the pressure on them while providing value as a return man on special teams.
Steelers could sign Van Jefferson
Of all of the names on this list, Van Jefferson has the least amount of experience with Smith as a coach. He joined the Falcons during the middle of the season via a trade, and while he never found his footing, he has had success in the past as a talented receiver.
Jefferson was actually a previous draft target for the Steelers. While the 2020 pre-draft process was shortened by Covid, Pittsburgh had met with Jefferson before in-person visits were canceled. The interest in a receiver was real, as the team ultimately took Chase Claypool with their first pick.
Jefferson looked like a player on the rise with the Rams in his second season, but inconsistencies and a crowded room caused him to slip down the depth chart. He was phased out of the offense enough to warrant getting traded this season. The Falcons didn’t use him a lot, but the talent is still there, and the Steelers have a need.
While Pittsburgh’s top receivers are talented, there is a depth issue and the slot position is lacking. Jefferson can wear a lot of hats for this offense though. While not a notable slot receiver, he has played there in the past. If the team finds someone else there, Jefferson can serve as a reserve on the outside. The versatility and likely cheap cost could cause him to follow Smith to the Steelers this offseason.
Steelers could sign Matt Hennessy
On the surface, Matt Hennessy is one of the lesser-known names on this list and a hard one to get behind. Upon further inspection though, there is a fit here, and one that stems back to his time at Temple. Again, the predraft process was a weird one, but many connected Hennessy to the team given their need for an interior lineman.
Instead, the Falcons landed Hennessy, and he looked like a potential find. He started every game during his second season with the team and graded out well as a blocker. His third season saw him get benched, and he missed all of last season with an injury.
The Steelers need a center, and Hennessy could be just the cheap solution to fill the hole. Given his past two seasons not amounting to much, his second contract in the league shouldn’t be a lot. He can slide in as the center if need be though. Nate Herbig can also play there, but his resume as a center isn’t extensive.
Hennessy could add another capable name to the mix and push to start given his experience. If the team lands a top center in the draft, then Hennessy becomes interior depth. I like his center tape more than Herbig, and adding him on the cheap doesn’t stop you from drafting a center early. Overall, he makes a lot of sense and could follow his old head coach to Pittsburgh.
Steelers could sign Ryan Tannehill
Arguably the hottest free-agent quarterback name for the Steelers since the signing of Smith, could Ryan Tannehill be the future face of the franchise? I think it is a distinct possibility, especially if the money is right.
Tannehill found his career rejuvenated under Smith’s offense. While some fans have been quick to give Smith the credit for said rejuvenation, I find that hard to believe. Tannehill was already an ok quarterback with the Dolphins, but he was constantly forced to be the star of the team and never had an elite running game to fall back on. Smith’s offense featured a prime Derrick Henry, which allowed Tannehill to thrive as an above-average game manager.
It wasn’t like Tannehill suddenly became something different as a quarterback, he just had a scheme that worked perfectly with his skill set. The expectation is that the Steelers will try to run an offense similar to what Smith ran in Tennessee, that being a run-heavy scheme that takes the pressure off the quarterback.
With Mitch Trubisky likely gone and Mason Rudolph far from a lock to return, Tannehill could be brought in as depth/competition for Kenny Pickett. While I’m guessing lighting wouldn’t strike twice, it is also hard to perform worse than Pickett has in two years with the team. Tannehill is looking for one last shot, and a reunion with his former offensive coordinator makes a lot of sense if the price is fair.
The Smith hiring is official, and the focus will now be on building an offense for Smith to succeed with. A reunion with some former players isn’t out of the question, and these five names familiar with Smith as a coach could look to reunite with him in 2024.