4 former Atlanta Falcons who followed Arthur Smith to Pittsburgh

Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as OC this offseason after being fired by Atlanta. Smith’s time as OC has been very different from his time as head coach elevating Ryan Tannehill and a Titans offense that has struggled since the departure of Arthur Smith.

Smith’s time in Atlanta makes it surprising that his former players would follow him to his next landing spot. This is a testament to how he is perceived by his players compared to the reality of the results and how the coach handles the media. So far, four former Atlanta Falcons have landed in Atlanta, with the first being a big surprise.

Patterson was named the “Joker” ahead of the 2023 season, which turned out to be a simplistic way to label a depth piece. Patterson was rarely on the field for the Falcons and was clear that Atlanta had moved on and wasn’t playing the role he expected to play.

Patterson followed that up by signing with Pittsburgh knowing that Arthur Smith was still going to call plays. That’s confusing for a player who remains a fan favorite in Atlanta and will long be praised for making difficult seasons more enjoyable.

Leaving Pruitt was wise considering he was only brought back as a weapon for Desmond Ridder. Pruitt never found his rhythm in Atlanta, but received plenty of snaps for a player of his talent level. Working with Smith as the third or fourth tight end on this roster, you can bet Arthur Smith is going to plan jet sweeps and design plays for the former Falcon.

Watching the film on Miller, it becomes clear that it was Miller’s routes and role that failed, not the player. Miller finds ways to get open and is often missed in the few opportunities he has been given. Miller is not a starting player, but he is a great rotation piece with the speed to create a big play.

If Russell Wilson finds a way back, Miller could become a surprise contributor. When Wilson is at his best, he stretches the football and is always looking for a surprise big play. Miller is going to give you a chance to find at least one this season.

Whether it’s Van Jefferson, Mack Hollins or Bryan Edwards, the attempts to find a second receiver under Arthur Smith have been woeful. Jefferson will currently compete for the third receiver role in Pittsburgh and will continue to play a key role in Smith’s offense.