Bears interview Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their head coaching job on Wednesday.
Smith was hired by the Steelers a year ago after coaching Atlanta to a 21-30 record from 2021 to 2023. The Falcons were 7-10 in each of his three seasons before firing him.
The Steelers went from tying for 27th in scoring in 2023 to finishing 16th this past season, after signing Russell Wilson and acquiring Justin Fields from Chicago to play quarterback.
The Bears are looking to replace Matt Eberflus, who was fired on Nov. 29. Chicago finished last in the NFC North at 5-12 and lost 10 in a row before closing the season with a win at Green Bay.
The development of quarterback Caleb Williams will be the top priority for the next coach in the wake of the Bears’ fourth straight losing season. The No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, he threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. But he was sacked a franchise-record and league-leading 68 times.
Smith is the 11th candidate the Bears have confirmed interviewing, a list highlighted by Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who got the New England job. Chicago has also interviewed interim coach Thomas Brown, former Carolina and Washington coach Ron Rivera, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, former Stanford coach David Shaw, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Baltimore WR Zay Flowers misses practice with
knee injury
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Zay Flowers’ absence last weekend meant plenty of available snaps for some seldom-used Baltimore receivers — and the Ravens got the ball to almost all of them.
“We have a bunch of depth and guys that can step up and make plays, and that are playing really good football,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “We’re counting on those guys to continue to make plays, step up and fit in different roles to help this offense go.”
Flowers did not practice Wednesday because of the knee injury that kept him out of last weekend’s victory over Pittsburgh in Baltimore’s playoff opener. Coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that Flowers could play this weekend at Buffalo even if he doesn’t practice, but it’s not clear how likely that is or how effective he’d be.
Flowers’ absence made Rashod Bateman the team’s biggest threat at wide receiver, and he caught a touchdown pass on Baltimore’s first possession, but the Ravens were more than willing to put their less heralded wideouts on the field.
Tylan Wallace was in for 39 offensive snaps, the most of any Baltimore wide receiver. He caught a 21-yard pass on second-and-20 in the third quarter to help keep another TD drive alive. Nelson Agholor played 20 snaps after missing three games following a concussion. He had a 25-yard catch.
Anthony Miller caught three passes in nine snaps after being promoted from the practice squad, and punt returner Steven Sims played 13 offensive snaps, which included one rush for 15 yards.
Even rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker played a couple of snaps after catching only one pass all season.
The Ravens didn’t seem to have any issues with their offensive operation while so many different receiver combinations were in the game.
“It was pretty smooth,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “Everyone being on the same page, just had everything flow smooth for us on the offensive side of the ball.”
Flowers was injured in the regular-season finale against Cleveland. The second-year receiver caught 74 passes for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season and earned Pro Bowl honors.