Arthur Smith provides clarity on the Steelers offense with Aaron Rodgers at QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers are embarking on a new journey, this time with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, for the 2025 regular season. During Mandatory Minicamp this is the time when teams start to really start the process of what their upcoming offense and defense will look like. Consider it the foundation of the house, with the rest of the intricate details to be installed at leading up to, and during, training camp.

The Steelers continue to try and revamp their quarterback room, with another complete overhaul heading into 2025 for the second straight season. With 4-time NFL MVP Rodgers now the signal caller, asking the question what the team’s offense might look like this season is both fair and reasonable.

Wednesday offensive coordinator Arthur Smith met with media and talked about what Rodgers brings to the offense, how the team will want to operate, and also what the new weapons might look like.

But first, what attracted the Steelers to want to sign Rodgers after his two rough seasons with the New York Jets?

“Well, you really look at the last year. The guy is throwing the ball at an extremely high level. We’re talking about one of the greatest passers in the history of this game. Not many guys have thrown the ball from the football like Aaron Rodgers, and obviously he’s still doing that at a high level.” Smith said. “I believe he said something similar yesterday. Where you have a guy, like I had Matt Ryan early in his career. Matt, as a younger player, was a little bit different. Aaron, the way he sees the game is different than he was when he was 25 to now that he’s in his early 40s, but he’s still throwing the ball at a high level.”

When asked what Smith specifically likes about Rodgers as a signal caller at this stage of his career, the offensive coordinator said there is still a lot to like.

“There’s a lot you know.” Smith said. “I’ve got to know Aaron outside of football in the last couple of years. I mean, you’re talking about one of the all-time great quarterbacks, and the things he’s accomplished in this League. I really enjoyed, obviously, getting to know him as a player-coach relationship with the football stuff. Just really excited to have him here. It’s going to be a fun journey. I know we’re only a couple days in, but he’s been awesome.”

The homework done on Rodgers went beyond film study and looking at what he was able to do in New York, but also talking to people within the football community about what he still brings to a team.

“Yeah, I’ve talked to a lot of people, just as Aaron probably talked to a lot of people too. I mean, it’s pretty normal, any player you’ve had. Same thing with DK. I had AJ Brown, they’re good buddies and college teammates, and he’d done his homework. I’ve done my homework. That’s why you need to do it on the front end when you’re studying the draft and know the League. Take opinions from everybody. Circumstances change, and until you really get to know somebody, and we’ll spend a ton of time together, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Speaking of DK Metcalf, this is also Smith’s first time getting to see Metcalf doing football-like things in a black-and-gold uniform. Needless to say, Metcalf comes as advertised.

“It’s been great. I mean, talking to the guy that I’ve watched from afar, and he’s in phenomenal shape. He’s a physical wide out, he can bring an explosive element to our offense, which is what we’re looking for. We don’t want to be three yards in a cloud of dust, and no way to do it in the running game and obviously the passing game. So, we’re excited to have DK.”

Ultimately, whether you’re talking about the quarterback, the offensive line, or the skill position players, it all comes down to production. It all comes down to points scored. Does Smith abide to Mike Tomlin’s “win ugly” methodology, or does he have a goal in mind like when Todd Haley said the offense should average 30 points per game in the “Killer Bs” era. Smith wasn’t quite as specific.

“At one point, I think in the middle part of the year, we had an eight-game stretch where we were near 30 points a game. I mean, obviously we weren’t good enough at the end of year. So, you want to be explosive, you want to be the best offensive in the League. That’s your goal. Obviously, on Sunday, win 17-16, you get the win, but you’re chasing more.

“So, to put a number on it, we’re trying to be the best version, and we want to be the most explosive offensive in the League. We have got a lot of work to do, but that’s the goal every week. I’m not going to feel great if we lose a game 42-35 and we have 500 yards. I’m not wired that way. I’m not one of those guys that gets giddy about stats. Oh, we did our job. No, it’s a team game. It’s the ultimate team game. You want to be explosive every year, we got to improve as an offense, and it’ll be a long journey during the season.”

The Steelers will have new weapons at their disposal, and it will be interesting to see if the 2025 version of Arthur Smith’s offense will be more prolific, and effective, than the 2024 version. Let the foundation building begin…

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of minicamp and training camp.