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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Arthur Smith might not be on the end of everyone’s lips in the NFL like some of the league’s finest coaches, but he’s been in football and his paycheck is something to write home about. Smith is the new offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he’s bringing his offensive wizardry to a team with a proud track record. And his professional trajectory has been anything but unproblematic, but the cash in his bank account is still healthy.

“I didn’t take the easy route—football was my passion, and I worked hard for every opportunity I got,” Smith once said. It’s a line that captures his entire career, from the coach who got his start in the trenches to the millionaire with the checkbook on the line. But what about the man himself? Let’s dig down into his net worth, pay packet, and the real dollar value of his career highs and lows.

What is Arthur Smith’s net worth?

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Arthur Smith’s net worth is estimated at $6 million now. Even if that’s a low number in comparison to his billionaire father Fred Smith of FedEx, it’s a high figure for a man who made his career in the NFL. Born into a household of impossible fortunes, Arthur would’ve had the same kind of job in his father’s shoes: he’d have sat as the head of FedEx. But instead, he went for his football ambition.

Smith did not wish to be another “rich kid” making ends meet with his family’s wealth. He was trying to build something himself. Arthur worked his way up through the NFL, becoming a quality control coach, tight ends coach, and eventually offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. He has a net worth that tells you a lot about his career in coaching, and also how hard he worked to carve a name for himself in a competitive football league.

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Smith led the Titans offense, and their league’s most threatening running back, Derrick Henry, had his presence with them during his tenure. His playmaking plans made the Titans place 10th in scoring and third in rushing during his first season as OC. That glory translated into lucrative contracts, such as his time with the Atlanta Falcons, that drove his value higher.

Now as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, Smith can keep his fortune firmer. His reputation and net worth are the result of years of sacrifice and, although he’s no longer a Falcons coach, his salary can only increase with every step in his career.

What is Arthur Smith’s salary?

Arthur Smith’s salary as the new offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers isn’t much more than others. But the paycheck is huge if history is any guide. When he was with the Atlanta Falcons, Smith was the beneficiary of a multimillion-dollar six-year contract. No one said the number, but the real story came out post-firing. He’ was released after a series of down seasons, but Smith is still pulling in $17,000 per day based on his contract, which extends through 2027.

“I’m focused on what’s next,” Smith shook off any mention of his bloated paycheck. That is a wry comment, and it does not reflect reality: you can never get fired in the NFL but with a big contract still getting paid while you’re not working? That’s a dream come true.

Smith’s amount at the Falcons was tied to his long-term deal, and that deal wasn’t expiring, no matter how the Falcons performed under Smith. But this is where it gets wild: $17,000 a day is more than $6 million a year, and that’s how Smith will end up making money even as he’s no longer on the Falcons’ roster. His pay is not quite as clear as some coaches, but with a salary like that, who cares?

Now that he’s on the new Steelers, Smith’s pay is going to be competitive, and no one would be surprised. Yet in the light of his newfound fortune, it doesn’t appear money is the main motivator. The opportunity to remake Pittsburgh’s offense and show some respect following a subpar stint in Atlanta could be his last paycheck.

How much did the Falcons pay Arthur Smith?

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The Falcons may have parted with Arthur Smith after three seasons, but they’re not shirking the guy. Smith signed with the team in 2021 for six years, though he retired after a 21-30 record, the deal is still alive. So, while Smith has been let go, he’s getting his full pay.

The package fits with the NFL’s obsession with offering fully guaranteed deals, so maybe it will make coaching more bearable in terms of the reality of getting fired. In Smith’s case, though the Falcons missed the postseason in his era there, they gave him enough time to reset before going forward. The lucrative deal garnered, of course, plenty of talk, and fans are making jokes about how to get a similar gig.

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So when Smith heads into the next chapter with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one has to wonder: What does he have in store for him in Pittsburgh? Can his running plays return the Steelers to a championship? There is one thing for sure: he has his paycheck lined up, now it’s up to him to prove that his worth isn’t tied to money.

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Can Arthur Smith's offensive magic turn the Steelers into serious contenders, or is it all hype?