In a season marked by tumultuous changes and a quest for cohesion, Arthur Smith has been appointed as the new offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith, who previously helmed the Tennessee Titans' offense, brings with him a notable track record from 2019, when he led the Titans to rank 10th in the NFL in scoring and oversaw running back Derrick Henry's first of consecutive rushing titles. Yet, replicating that success in Pittsburgh has shown early signs of difficulty, as the Steelers grapple with preseason woes.
Rocky Start in Preseason
The Steelers have faced significant challenges in their exhibition games, suffering losses to both Houston and Buffalo. These defeats were characterized by glaring issues such as poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert crucial possession downs. These are indications that despite Smith's reputable coaching history, the team has yet to find its rhythm under his new system.
"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 stated, reflecting on the broader perspective of these preseason games.
Quarterback Conundrum
A significant subplot to the Steelers' preseason has been the battle for the starting quarterback position. Zach Wilson, who currently stands ahead of Justin Fields on the depth chart, has had a lackluster performance. Wilson completed 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards but was sacked three times in the loss to Buffalo. Notably, he did not lead the team to a single scoring drive during his time on the field.
Meanwhile, Justin Fields has also struggled to make a significant impact, failing to score points throughout the preseason. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has the final say on who will start at quarterback, and the decision of whether Wilson will play in the preseason finale against Detroit remains ongoing. Smith commented on the quarterback situation, saying, "That's not a decision I have the burden to make."
Rebuild and Refocus
The Steelers’ offensive dynamics underwent a major overhaul during the offseason, under Smith’s guidance, as part of the broader mission to rectify last year’s performance. Last season saw a different scenario, with the then-quarterback Kenny Pickett leading the starting offense to touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions. However, those bright preseason moments did not translate into regular-season success, leading to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Smith’s statement on the importance of preseason was encapsulated when he said, "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." Such insights highlight the ongoing struggles and attempts to build resilience within the team.
Building for Regular Season Success
The focus for the Pittsburgh offense lies in honing fundamentals, mitigating penalties, and ensuring a cohesive performance once regular-season games commence. The offseason efforts to transform the quarterback room and reengineer the offense's dynamics are crucial steps toward achieving this goal. Smith's background with the Titans reveals a history of overcoming preseason challenges to deliver regular-season success, an optimistic parallel that Steelers fans hope will play out similarly in Pittsburgh.
The preseason struggles may indeed serve as a necessary crucible, refining the Steelers' approach and strategy before the stakes heighten. As Arthur Smith continues to implement his system, the onus will be on finding balance, instilling discipline, and most importantly, making the right moves offensively to set the stage for a productive season.