Steelers OC Smith hopes for more balance with Rodgers - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Even football marriages are all about compromise. Under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Steelers had the fourth-most rushing attempts in 2024. Meanwhile, new Steelers quarterback — and newlywed — Aaron Rodgers attempted the second-most passes in his previous stop with the Jets in that same span.

Smith, though, downplayed concerns about marrying the two seemingly different offensive philosophies now that the two coexist in Pittsburgh.

«You'd love to be more balanced,» Smith said, speaking publicly for the first time since Rodgers signed. «You're not obvious in how you want to attack this defense, what you think their strengths and weaknesses are. That's the game that's played every Sunday.… we didn't bring Aaron in here — and signed DK [Metcalf] for all that money — to go run the wishbone. So, you know, you try to play to the strengths of your team.»

Though the Steelers leaned on the run game, they weren't especially efficient. The team averaged just 4.1 yards per carry, tied for 26th-fewest in the league last season. The Jets offense averaged 4.3 yards per carry, but they ran the ball 170 fewer times.

Some of that, of course, is dictated by game circumstance, and the Jets frequently played from behind during the 2024 season. But during his tenure in Green Bay, Rodgers' offenses were also heavy on pass plays. From 2008-22, the Packers ran the fourth-fewest run plays in the league, according to ESPN Research.

Still, Smith expressed confidence in adapting his offense to this year's roster.

«Our job, especially as a coach, is to play to the strengths of your players,» Smith said. «We have our foundation things that don't change, but whether you lean into certain schemes, year after year, you adapt again