Report: Pittsburgh Steelers to open NFL season at Atlanta Falcons

As he settles in as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arthur Smith would immediately head into familiar territory. According to WSB-TV’s Zach Klein, the Steelers will travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons in the season opener.

Smith spent the last three years as head coach of the Falcons, amassing a 21-30 record before his firing after the 2023 season. He then attached himself to the Steelers, where he will now work with a quarterback room -rear of Russell Wilson And Justin Fields after some major moves this offseason.

According to Klein, Smith won’t have to wait long to return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Smith spoke about his tenure in Atlanta after taking over in Pittsburgh earlier this offseason, emphasizing the need to build the team from the ground up during his tenure at the helm.

“It was a unique situation, basically rebuilding a team,” Smith said, via Falcon Report Daniel Flick. “Good lessons have been learned. It was a tough lesson, but it will help me here, especially with some of the young players we have here, and how to adapt the offense and try to take advantage of those guys’ strengths.

Pittsburgh and Atlanta both made major changes at the quarterback position this offseason. Wilson arrives as expected starter for Steelers this year with Fields as backup while Falcons sign Kirk Cousins to a lucrative and selected contract Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Raheem Morris is now also in charge of Atlanta.

Chiefs, Ravens to kick off 2024 NFL season

The full NFL schedule is expected to be revealed Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET, but some games have already been announced. Including the first match of the yearwhich will see the two-time defending champions in a 2023 AFC Championship rematch.

The Super Bowl LVIII winners Kansas City Chiefs will face the Baltimore Ravens in a highly anticipated game to start the year. The 2024 NFL season begins Thursday, September 5 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Baltimore 1-3 against Chiefs with quarterbacks Lamar Jackson And Patrick Mahomes under the center. The last time the Chiefs and Ravens faced each other, Kansas City won 17-10 and advanced to the championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.