Arthur Smith stays focused on the Steelers despite the Titans reaching out for a head coach interview
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 10, 2026, 00:09 IST
![<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Arthur Smith stays focused on the Steelers despite the Titans reaching out for a head coach interview</p>](https://staticimg.publishstory.co/thumb/126442134.cms?imgsize=121844&width=760&height=428&resizemode=4 "<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Arthur Smith stays focused on the Steelers despite the Titans reaching out for a head coach interview</p>")
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith confirmed the Titans have contacted him about their head coach opening but said his focus remains on Pittsburgh’s playoff run. With a wild-card game against Houston coming up, Smith stressed that future opportunities are a distraction. The former Titans assistant and Falcons head coach cannot interview until after the Steelers’ postseason game, following NFL rules.
Arthur Smith isn’t letting coaching rumors pull his attention away from Pittsburgh as the postseason continues. Smith, who is the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, confirmed that the Tennessee Titans have contacted him regarding their head coaching vacancy, but he made it clear his focus remains fully on his current team.
Smith said he isn’t thinking about future opportunities while the Steelers are still playing. Speaking to the reporters, he said, “The only thing that matters is my current job.” He also added that worrying about what comes next only creates distractions.
With Pittsburgh set to face Houston in the wild-card round, Smith emphasized that his current responsibility is to prepare his players and staff for the challenge ahead.
Smith, who is 42 years old, has deep connections to Tennessee. He worked with the Titans for nearly a decade, starting in 2011, when he began as a quality control assistant and later became the offensive coordinator of the Titans by 2019.
After the 2020 season, he left Tennessee to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, where he went 21-30 over three seasons. He joined the Steelers as offensive coordinator two years ago and has been a key part of their recent success.
Because of NFL rules, Smith cannot interview with Tennessee until three days after Pittsburgh’s playoff game. If the Steelers advance, any interview would take place virtually. Smith said anything that takes his attention away from his players would mean he’s not doing his job properly. “All I care about is the Steelers and our players,” he said.
The Titans fired their coach on Oct. 13 and are one of eight teams searching for a new head coach. General manager Mike Borgonzi has said there is no rush to make a decision, and Tennessee has already requested or scheduled interviews with 11 candidates. Among them are coordinators still coaching in the playoffs, including Green Bay’s Jeff Hafley and San Francisco’s Robert Saleh.
For now, Smith remains locked in on Pittsburgh’s playoff run, determined to keep outside noise from affecting the team as it tries to make a deep postseason push.
Smith said he isn’t thinking about future opportunities while the Steelers are still playing. Speaking to the reporters, he said, “The only thing that matters is my current job.” He also added that worrying about what comes next only creates distractions.
With Pittsburgh set to face Houston in the wild-card round, Smith emphasized that his current responsibility is to prepare his players and staff for the challenge ahead.
Smith, who is 42 years old, has deep connections to Tennessee. He worked with the Titans for nearly a decade, starting in 2011, when he began as a quality control assistant and later became the offensive coordinator of the Titans by 2019.
After the 2020 season, he left Tennessee to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, where he went 21-30 over three seasons. He joined the Steelers as offensive coordinator two years ago and has been a key part of their recent success.
Because of NFL rules, Smith cannot interview with Tennessee until three days after Pittsburgh’s playoff game. If the Steelers advance, any interview would take place virtually. Smith said anything that takes his attention away from his players would mean he’s not doing his job properly. “All I care about is the Steelers and our players,” he said.
The Titans fired their coach on Oct. 13 and are one of eight teams searching for a new head coach. General manager Mike Borgonzi has said there is no rush to make a decision, and Tennessee has already requested or scheduled interviews with 11 candidates. Among them are coordinators still coaching in the playoffs, including Green Bay’s Jeff Hafley and San Francisco’s Robert Saleh.
For now, Smith remains locked in on Pittsburgh’s playoff run, determined to keep outside noise from affecting the team as it tries to make a deep postseason push.