Steelers' New Offensive Direction Under Arthur Smith Faces Early Hiccups
The Pittsburgh Steelers are navigating uncharted waters under the leadership of their new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. The team's preseason struggles, marked by exhibition losses to both Houston and Buffalo, point to a rocky transition period laden with poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on possession downs.
A familiar face with a successful track record, Arthur Smith comes to Pittsburgh following his stint as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019. Under his guidance, the Titans impressively ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring, with Derrick Henry securing the first of his consecutive rushing titles. Notably, after a sluggish preseason that year, the Titans exploded in Week 1, racking up 43 points.
However, translating that offensive magic to the Steelers hasn't been an instant process. Pittsburgh's offensive woes were on full display in recent preseason games. Zach Wilson, currently the frontrunner on the depth chart over Justin Fields, ended a game against Buffalo with 8 completions out of 10 attempts for a mere 47 yards while being sacked three times. Despite his efforts, Wilson failed to lead the offense to a single score during his time on the field.
Justin Fields hasn't fared much better, struggling to put points on the board throughout the preseason. These performances fuel the uncertainty that surrounds Pittsburgh's starting quarterback position, a decision ultimately resting on Head Coach Mike Tomlin's shoulders. Whether Wilson will play in the Steelers' preseason finale against Detroit remains a matter of deliberation.
Reflecting on the difficulties faced, Arthur Smith remarked, "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." Despite the challenges, Smith's focus on fundamentals and penalties aims to mitigate issues before the regular season kicks off.
The upheaval within the Steelers' offensive strategy extends beyond the field. Last year's starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett, led the team to consistent preseason success, scoring touchdowns on each of the five possessions he started. Yet, the disappointments of the previous season culminated in the dismissal of then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, paving the way for Smith's arrival. Under Smith's guidance, Pittsburgh’s quarterback room underwent a substantial overhaul during the offseason.
Smith's commitment to improvement is evident not just in his broader strategy, but in his approach to individual players. Speaking of another player's resilience, he said, "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." This mindset of perseverance and dedication to improvement is one Smith continually instills in his squad.
The Steelers have certainly experienced significant changes, but Smith's arrival marks a moment of both promise and pressure. While the preseason struggles have highlighted areas requiring urgent attention, they also serve as crucial learning moments for the team. The goal now is to ensure these hurdles transform into stepping stones for a productive regular season.
Smith acknowledges the magnitude and complexity of the decisions ahead. When asked about making the final quarterback call, he straightforwardly responded, "That's not a decision I have the burden to make." This defers the critical choice to Tomlin, who must carefully weigh preseason performance against potential regular-season outcomes.
As the preseason draws to a close, the Steelers are in a race against time to refine their gameplay. With a clear focus on honing fundamentals, reducing penalties, and fostering a cohesive unit on the field, Arthur Smith and the Steelers are striving to overcome early setbacks and lay a solid foundation for the challenges that lie ahead.