Pittsburgh Steelers Aim to Rebound After Preseason Struggles
As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up for the forthcoming NFL season, all eyes are on the newly appointed offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. With a resume that includes orchestrating the Tennessee Titans’ high-octane offense in 2019, Smith is expected to rejuvenate a Steelers' offense that faltered towards the tail end of last season.
This preseason has not been kind to Pittsburgh, suffering alarmingly one-sided exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo. The games were marred by poor offensive line play, frequent pre-snap penalties, and an inability to convert on crucial possession downs. While preseason performances are not always indicative of regular-season outcomes, these issues have raised some concerns within the organization.
Smith, however, has been a voice of perspective amidst the growing anxiety. "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," he explained, underscoring that these early challenges could serve as valuable learning experiences.
In 2019, Arthur Smith faced similar preseason struggles while with the Titans, managing a mere seven points across three games before a spectacular bounce-back to post 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. That year, the Titans ultimately ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring, while Derrick Henry clinched his first rushing title, giving hope to Steelers fans that Smith can orchestrate a similar turnaround in Pittsburgh.
Quarterback Quandary
The quarterback situation in Pittsburgh is another intriguing subplot. With Zach Wilson currently leading the depth chart over Justin Fields, the Steelers find themselves in evaluation mode. Wilson's recent performance against Buffalo, where he completed 8 of 10 passes for a modest 47 yards and was sacked three times, did little to stymie the criticism. More concerning was his failure to lead the team to a single score during his stint on the field.
Fields, on the other hand, has also had his share of struggles throughout the preseason, complicating the decision for head coach Mike Tomlin. Notably, Tomlin retains the final call on who will be the starting quarterback, a responsibility that seems daunting given the current performances of his options.
Changes Under Arthur Smith
The offseason was a period of significant change for the Steelers' offense. Arthur Smith's arrival led to a major overhaul in the quarterback room and other crucial offensive adjustments. Last year's starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett, who had shown promise by leading the team to touchdowns on each of his five preseason possessions, was unable to maintain that form into the regular season, contributing to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Smith's focus is now squarely on honing the fundamentals. "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 said, highlighting the importance of gritty performances even in non-ideal situations.
Looking Ahead
As of now, there's still a pending decision on whether Zach Wilson will play in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against Detroit. What is clear, however, is that the Steelers are intent on refining their gameplay. This phase of adjustment is being seen as critical, with a particular emphasis on minimizing penalties and ensuring cohesive performances when the games start to count.
The narrative, while fraught with present challenges, does parallel the resilience shown by Smith in his previous tenure. Steelers fans will be hoping for a similar resurgence, one that sees the team not just adjusting but thriving under the new offensive regime. In the final analysis, the upcoming preseason finale will offer another glimpse into the adjustments and improvements that have been made, providing a clearer picture of what to expect when Week 1 arrives.