The Pittsburgh Steelers' pre-season has been marked by notable changes and considerable struggles, highlighted by the appointment of Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator. The team's performance in exhibition games against Houston and Buffalo exposed a host of issues, from poor offensive line play and pre-snap penalties to difficulties in converting possession downs.
Arthur Smith, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019, brings both a fresh perspective and a history of overcoming pre-season woes. It's worth noting that the Titans managed only 7 points across three preseason games in 2019 but went on to score an impressive 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season and secured the 10th spot in NFL scoring for that year. Derrick Henry's first rushing title during Smith's tenure underscored the effectiveness of his offensive strategies.
One of the most discussed topics in Pittsburgh is the quarterback situation. Currently, Zach Wilson sits atop the depth chart over Justin Fields, a position that remains scrutinized. Wilson, who completed 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards but was sacked three times in the loss to Buffalo, notably failed to lead the team to a single score during his time on the field.
Justin Fields has had his own difficulties in finding the endzone during the preseason, further complicating Head Coach Mike Tomlin's decision-making process. "That's not a decision I have the burden to make," Smith stated, pointing to Tomlin's final authority on the matter.
While a decision on whether Wilson will play in the preseason finale against Detroit is still pending, there remains a palpable sense of urgency surrounding the offense. Last season’s starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett, led a unit that scored touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions, somewhat masking the deficiencies that would later come to bear during the regular season. These struggles ultimately led to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Under Smith’s guidance, there has been a significant overhaul of the quarterback room and offensive schemes. The focus now is on mastering the fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring cohesive performance when the games truly matter. "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," Smith commented, injecting a dose of realism into the current predicament.
Smith praised players who have shown resilience and dedication despite the challenges. "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," he said, highlighting the efforts of players who are giving their all to turn the tide.
The Pittsburgh offense has undergone significant changes over the past year, and while the early indicators haven't been promising, the hope remains that the growing pains experienced during the preseason will translate into a more polished performance come Week 1. Arthur Smith’s history with the Titans provides a blueprint for such a turnaround. With a focus on fine-tuning critical aspects and leveraging the preseason as a learning experience, the Steelers aim to march into the regular season with renewed vigor and effectiveness.