Pittsburgh Steelers Face Offensive Challenges Under New Coordinator Arthur Smith
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been navigating a rocky preseason under the leadership of their newly appointed offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. The team suffered exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo, with several issues plaguing their performance on the field. Poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on possession downs were glaring shortcomings in both matchups.
Despite these setbacks, Smith's history suggests a potential turnaround. In 2019, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. That year, the Titans managed only 7 points over three preseason games but then exploded with 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. Ultimately, the Titans ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring for the 2019 season. Running back Derrick Henry also won his first of consecutive rushing titles under Smith's guidance.
Quarterback Conundrum
Currently, Zach Wilson is positioned atop Pittsburgh's depth chart, placed ahead of Justin Fields. However, Wilson's performance in the preseason leaves much to be desired. In the loss to Buffalo, he completed 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards but was sacked three times and failed to lead the team to a single score during his time on the field. Fields, on the other hand, has also had his share of struggles in scoring points throughout the preseason.
The final decision on the starting quarterback rests with Head Coach Mike Tomlin. As of now, it remains uncertain whether Wilson will play in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against Detroit. The offensive challenges this preseason contrast sharply with last season when the starting offense, led by then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, managed to score touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions. These struggles contributed to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada and the overhaul of Pittsburgh’s quarterback room during the offseason under Arthur Smith's guidance.
Coach's Perspective
Arthur Smith brings a pragmatic approach to the table. Acknowledging the realities of preseason performances, he 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." Smith also highlighted the efforts of players like Russ, adding, "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 remains focused on honing the fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a cohesive performance when the games truly matter. "That's not a decision I have the burden to make," he said, emphasizing the collective responsibility in crafting an effective game plan.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a period of transition, facing the task of ironing out the kinks before the regular season. With a storied history and a committed fan base, expectations are perpetually high. Under the new leadership of Arthur Smith, the onus will be on the team to rectify preseason woes and demonstrate their potential when the regular season kicks off.