Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith interviews with Bears for head coach job

Days after wrapping up his first season as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arthur Smith interviewed for the vacant Chicago Bears head coach job on Wednesday.

The Bears announced the interview. It had been previously reported that Chicago was interested in Smith to replace Matt Eberflus, who was fired just after Thanksgiving.

Thomas Brown served as interim coach the rest of the season for the Bears, who finished 5-12.

The Bears have also interviewed former Stanford coach David Shaw. Shaw this past year took a job in the Denver Broncos’ front office.

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Smith, 42, coached the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23 after rising in prominence as offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans from 2019-20. He was hired by the Steelers last January after Matt Canada was fired in November and Eddie Faulkner finished out the season as offensive coordinator.

The Steelers under Smith finished 16^th in the NFL in scoring (22.4 points per game) and 23^rd in yardage (319.4). Known for his design of rushing attacks, Smith’s offense with the Steelers was ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts, but their per-carry average (4.1) was tied for 20^th.

Smith is also a candidate for the New York Jets’ head coach job and is expected to interview with them Thursday.