Pittsburgh Steelers Pin Hopes on Arthur Smith Amid Offensive Woes
The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed their offensive future in the hands of their new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, hoping he can turn around the fortunes of a struggling unit. Thus far, early exhibition games have done little to quell that hope, with the Steelers suffering defeats to both the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills. These losses have highlighted critical areas of concern, particularly the offensive line's poor performance, frequent pre-snap penalties, and an inability to convert on possession downs.
Smith, who joined the Steelers after a notable stint with the Tennessee Titans, brings an impressive résumé. In 2019, under Smith's coordination, the Titans surged to 10th in the NFL for scoring. That season was also notable for Derrick Henry beginning his reign as the league’s rushing champion, a title he won consecutively starting that year. However, Smith’s tenure in Tennessee wasn’t without its preseason hiccups. The Titans managed just seven points across three preseason games in 2019 but exploded with a 43-point performance in Week 1 of the regular season. Steelers fans are undoubtedly hoping history will repeat itself.
This preseason hasn’t been kind to Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks. Zach Wilson, currently leading the depth chart over Justin Fields, had a particularly rough outing against Buffalo. Wilson completed eight of ten passes for a mere 47 yards and was sacked three times, failing to lead the team to any scoring plays. Fields hasn't fared much better, struggling to generate points throughout the preseason. Such challenges continue to place immense pressure on Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who retains the final say on the starting quarterback role for the upcoming season.
Reflecting on the preseason performances thus far, Smith remains cautiously optimistic. “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. His statement underscores the belief that the team’s current struggles might serve as valuable learning experiences, setting the stage for a stronger showing when games start to count.
Smith's primary focus now lies in refining fundamental aspects of the game, reducing penalties, and ensuring that the offense operates cohesively. Last season, changes were evident but the execution waned, leading to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Under Smith, the team has seen a major overhaul, especially in the quarterback room, as he aims to instill a sense of discipline and consistency.
The narrative surrounding Wilson's continued struggles and possible absences only amplifies the stakes for the Steelers' preseason finale against Detroit. With a decision still pending on whether Wilson will take the field, Smith’s remarks on the quarterback’s resolve were telling: “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.” It’s clear that while Wilson may be facing numerous challenges, his commitment and mentality have not gone unnoticed.
Interestingly enough, just a season ago, the Steelers’ starters, under then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, managed to score touchdowns on each of their five preseason possessions. Such stark contrasts reveal the significant shifts the team has experienced in the past year. The current Steelers offense, now under Smith’s overhaul, is tasked with reclaiming that efficiency and success.
Beyond the immediate technical adjustments, there's a palpable need for the Steelers to gel as a unit—a factor Smith is aiming to instill comprehensively in practice and execution. The upcoming games will be critical, not just for wins and losses, but for defined roles and unity on the field. The broader narrative for Steelers' fans remains one of cautious anticipation, as they await to see if Smith can replicate his prior success and reinvigorate Pittsburgh's offense.