Pittsburgh Steelers Face Offensive Challenges Under New Coordinator
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter a new era on offense under the guidance of Arthur Smith, who took over as the offensive coordinator. Smith, known for his previous success with the Tennessee Titans, faces an uphill battle in transforming a struggling unit that has stumbled in preseason, marked by losses to Houston and Buffalo.
The exhibition games revealed critical issues, from poor offensive line play to pre-snap penalties and a dismal failure to convert on possession downs. Zach Wilson, currently at the top of the depth chart over Justin Fields, showcased these struggles vividly. In the loss to Buffalo, Wilson completed 8 of 10 passes for just 47 yards while being sacked three times, failing to lead the team to any scoring drives during his time on the field.
Scrutinizing Pittsburgh’s preseason performance, Smith remains steadfast in addressing these dilemmas before they transition into the regular season. He acknowledges the distortions often presented by preseason games, whether positive or negative. In his own words, "Preseason can distort reality, good or bad. We've all seen it. That's not making excuses. ... That's not our standard. That's not acceptable, but at the same time, would rather go through that now than have that happen Week 1. ... We've got to get out of our own way."
Last season, the Steelers' offense, led by Kenny Pickett, showed promise, finding the end zone on each of its five preseason possessions. However, this optimism was short-lived, culminating in the dismissal of then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The overhaul led to significant transitions, not just in coaching but within the quarterback room as well. This transition now serves as the backdrop against which Smith is trying to establish a new identity for Pittsburgh’s offense.
Smith’s tenure brings memories of his 2019 season with the Titans, where, despite a rocky start of scoring only seven points in three preseason games, the offense exploded with 43 points in the regular season's Week 1. By the end of that year, the Titans ranked 10th in NFL scoring. The optimism comes partly from these past experiences, alongside notable achievements like Derrick Henry winning his first of consecutive rushing titles.
For Pittsburgh, the primary focus now is on honing fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a cohesive performance when it truly matters. "We've got to get out of our own way," Smith asserted, emphasizing the need to overcome self-imposed obstacles that plagued their preseason.
The quarterback situation remains fluid. While Wilson remains atop the depth chart as of now, he and Justin Fields have both shown difficulties in putting points on the board throughout the preseason. Head Coach Mike Tomlin holds the ultimate decision on who will start, and there is still uncertainty about whether Wilson will see action in the preseason finale against Detroit. "That's not a decision I have the burden to make," Smith remarked, shedding light on the collaborative yet defined roles within the coaching staff.
Among the few silver linings, Smith did commend the resilience shown by players like Russ, who faced adversity head-on in the preseason encounters. "I give Russ a lot of credit for going out there. I think a lot of guys in that situation may have tapped out. He hadn't had enough reps. He wanted to go out there," Smith noted, highlighting the individual commitment that could potentially spark a collective turnaround.
As the regular season looms, Pittsburgh's revamped offensive strategy under Smith aims to shake off the preseason cobwebs and establish a more disciplined and effective unit. The lessons learned from these exhibition games, the shift in internal dynamics, and Smith’s proven track record all merge to form the backbone of what the Steelers hope will be a rebounding season.