Steelers to open 2024 season at Atlanta, per report

The Steelers will open the 2024 season at the Falcons, according to a report from WSB-TV in Atlanta.

That game would present the return of Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to Atlanta, where he spent three seasons as the Falcons' head coach. Smith went 7-10 in each season on their sideline after two successful years in Tennessee as the Titans' offensive coordinator.

The Falcons faced the Steelers once in Smith's tenure in Atlanta. The Steelers beat the Falcons 19-16 on Dec. 4, 2022 in Atlanta. Matthew Wright made four field goals and Connor Heyward caught his first career touchdown in that game for the Steelers. 

Both teams made significant changes at quarterback over the offseason. The Steelers are likely to deploy Russell Wilson after bringing him in from Denver in free agency, and they have Justin Fields waiting after acquiring him from the Bears in a trade. The Falcons ponied up $180 million over four years to former Viking Kirk Cousins, and then selected Michael Penix, Jr., with the eighth overall pick in the draft in April.

The full NFL schedule will officially be revealed a 8 p.m. Wednesday. It will be televised on the NFL Network.