Did the Philadelphia Eagles miss their chance to land a top offensive mind? It turns out, the Eagles had their eyes on Arthur Smith, the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, before he accepted the same role at Ohio State. According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, Smith was in talks with both the Eagles and the Tennessee Titans, two teams desperately seeking offensive coordinators this offseason. But here's where it gets intriguing: while it’s unclear if the Eagles formally interviewed Smith this time around, this isn’t their first rodeo with him. Back in January 2021, the Eagles interviewed Smith for their head coach position, reportedly leaving them 'really impressed.' Yet, Smith chose the Atlanta Falcons instead, where he compiled a 21-30 record over three seasons before being let go. After a two-year stint with the Steelers, Smith is now headed to Ohio State to replace Brian Hartline, who was poached by South Florida as their new head coach.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Smith ever a serious contender to replace Kevin Patullo in Philadelphia, or was this just another flirtation? And this is the part most people miss—Smith’s collegiate move to Ohio State could be a strategic play to rebuild his reputation after a rocky NFL head coaching tenure. Could this be a stepping stone for another NFL opportunity down the line? Or is he genuinely committed to the collegiate game? One thing’s for sure: the Eagles’ interest in Smith raises questions about their long-term offensive strategy. Are they satisfied with their current setup, or are they still searching for the missing piece? What do you think—did the Eagles dodge a bullet, or did they let a valuable asset slip away? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
