As the Pittsburgh Steelers navigate through their preseason schedule, offensive ineptitude has become a glaring issue. The team has struggled to find its footing, managing to score just 15 points over the course of two preseason games. This offensive drought reached a nadir in a 9-3 loss on Saturday night, a game that underscored the unit’s mounting challenges.
Only three of those 15 points came with Justin Fields at the helm, revealing significant concerns about the effectiveness and cohesion of the offense. Persistent issues with pass protection have hindered Fields from establishing any sort of consistent rhythm. Head coach Mike Tomlin did not mince words about the root of these problems, emphasizing the detrimental impact of inadequate pass protection. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," Tomlin said candidly.
Struggles on the Offensive Line
Russell Wilson's performance further highlighted these struggles. Across five series against the Buffalo Bills, Wilson was unable to orchestrate a single scoring drive, falling victim to three sacks. The offensive line's shortcomings were starkly evident, with Greg Rousseau of the Bills exploiting the inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle for the game.
Tomlin noted the effect of these early failures, stating, "The first three or so series of the game, it was three and out, and you're not going to get an opportunity to establish rhythm or play the way you'd like as an individual or a collective." For fields, the lack of pass protection resulted in a sack that further disrupted the offensive flow.
Injuries Compound the Struggles
Adding to the Steelers' woes, the offensive line has been hit hard by injuries. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig may be out for the season due to a torn rotator, and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is currently sidelined as well. These injuries have forced the team to shuffle players across the line, which has affected continuity and performance.
Despite these challenges, Tomlin remains focused on finding solutions. "It's somewhat of an incomplete study because you just don't get a chance to see them operate or us operate or us establish rhythm and personality when you're not winning possession downs," Tomlin explained. "I was really upfront with the group about it in that regard, that can't be a problem for us. We've got to be better than we were tonight in that area."
Looking Towards the Finale
The upcoming preseason finale against the Detroit Lions will be critical for the Steelers as they look to make final evaluations and adjustments. Tomlin is expected to closely monitor the offensive line performances and will decide which quarterback will start in Pittsburgh's final preseason game. This game will serve as a crucial testing ground for the team to address its offensive struggles and build some momentum heading into the regular season.
The stakes are high for a team hoping to shake off the cobwebs and prove its mettle in the upcoming NFL season. As Tomlin and his staff work tirelessly to rectify the offensive issues, the hope is that the Steelers' players can rise to the occasion and deliver performances that reflect their potential.