Pittsburgh Steelers Face Preseason Struggles Under New Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith
The Pittsburgh Steelers have encountered several hurdles in their preseason campaign, marked by exhibition losses to the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills. A visible combination of poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on key possession downs marred their performances, raising concerns ahead of the regular season.
The responsibility of reinvigorating Pittsburgh's offense has fallen to Arthur Smith, the newly appointed offensive coordinator. Smith, who previously held the same position with the Tennessee Titans in 2019, is no stranger to early setbacks. During his tenure with the Titans, the team scored only seven points in three preseason games before exploding for 43 points in their first regular-season game. That season, the Titans finished 10th in the NFL in scoring, driven by standout performances such as Derrick Henry winning the first of his consecutive rushing titles.
This preseason, however, has presented a different set of challenges. One of the prominent storylines has been the quarterback battle between Zach Wilson and Justin Fields, with Wilson currently atop the depth chart. Yet, neither quarterback has managed to spark the offense effectively. Wilson's recent performance against Buffalo saw him complete eight of ten passes for a modest 47 yards and endure three sacks, failing to lead the team to a single score. Fields has similarly struggled, unable to produce significant points throughout the preseason.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin ultimately has the final say on the starting quarterback decision, a matter still pending resolution, particularly regarding Wilson's participation in the preseason finale against Detroit. Smith alluded to this when he remarked, "That's not a decision I have the burden to make."
The transition under Smith has not been easy for the Steelers. The dramatic overhaul of the quarterback room and the offensive scheme has brought growing pains, which were starkly different from the previous season's successes. Under former quarterback Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh's starting offense managed to score touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions. However, last season's overall struggles, which led to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada, necessitated a new direction.
One of Smith's key priorities is to refine the team's fundamentals, reduce penalties, and ensure a cohesive performance as the regular season approaches. Despite the disappointing preseason, Smith maintains a balanced perspective. "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, I would rather go through that now than have that happen Week 1. ... We've got to get out of our own way," he noted.
Smith's commitment to cultivating resilience and readiness is reflected in his praise for players who demonstrate determination under trying circumstances. Speaking of a player's effort, Smith commented, "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."
As the Steelers aim to turn the corner before the regular season, the focus remains on executing plays correctly and eliminating self-inflicted errors. The upcoming decisions regarding the final roster and starting positions will be pivotal in setting the tone for the journey ahead.
In discussing the team's current state and potential, Smith's philosophy centers around learning and adapting before the stakes increase. The blend of experienced guidance and player accountability will be crucial as Pittsburgh aims to solidify its offensive identity and meet the high standards expected by the franchise and its fans. The road ahead may be challenging, but with Arthur Smith at the helm, the Steelers are looking to steer clear of preseason pitfalls and set a positive course for the games that truly count.