Pittsburgh's Offensive Makeover: Can Arthur Smith Revitalize the Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are navigating turbulent preseason waters, striving to establish a cohesive and effective offensive unit ahead of the regular season. The driving force behind this transformation is Arthur Smith, the newly appointed offensive coordinator.
Smith, who steered the Tennessee Titans' offense to considerable success in 2019, faces a formidable challenge with the Steelers. His tenure with the Titans was marked by a dramatic turnaround, where despite a dismal preseason showing of merely 7 points scored across three games, the team erupted with 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. The Titans ultimately ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring that year, and Derrick Henry began his streak of rushing titles under Smith's leadership.
However, Smith's magic has yet to manifest in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have suffered exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo, hampered by poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on possession downs. These issues have underscored the team's struggles and have kept fans and analysts alike on edge.
“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,” said Smith, addressing the preseason performance.
One of the most scrutinized decisions involves the starting quarterback position. Zach Wilson currently sits atop the depth chart, a position many expected would belong to Justin Fields by now. Wilson's preseason performance, particularly against Buffalo, where he went 8 of 10 for 47 yards but was sacked three times and failed to lead the team to a single score, has done little to cement his position. Fields, too, has struggled, raising questions about the stability and effectiveness of Pittsburgh’s quarterback room.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who has the final say on quarterback decisions, faces a critical choice. The uncertainty is compounded by ongoing debates about whether Wilson should play in the upcoming preseason finale against Detroit.
In the previous season, Pittsburgh’s offense, led by then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, showed considerable promise, scoring touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions. However, a disappointing regular season led to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Matt Canada and a significant revamp under Smith's guidance.
The focus now is on refining fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a seamless offensive performance when the regular season begins. Smith's track record with the Titans offers a glimmer of hope, though the path forward is undoubtedly steep.
Smith remains cautiously optimistic about the team's resilience and potential for growth. He acknowledged the challenges but also highlighted the positive signs from players stepping up under pressure. "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 remarked.
Despite the preseason struggles, the Steelers are banking on Smith's expertise and strategic acumen to steer the team towards a successful campaign. The key will be in translating preseason efforts into regular-season victories and ensuring that the offensive line, quarterback play, and overall execution meet the rigorous standards expected of a storied franchise like Pittsburgh.
As the preseason finale against Detroit looms, all eyes will be on Tomlin’s decision regarding the quarterback position and how the revamped offense will coalesce. The journey may be fraught with challenges, but with Smith at the helm, there is cautious optimism that the Steelers can overcome early setbacks and emerge a stronger, more unified team.