Arthur Smith Takes the Helm Amidst Pittsburgh's Offensive Struggles
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason has been marked by significant changes, notably with Arthur Smith stepping in as the new offensive coordinator. His appointment comes amidst a backdrop of challenges, including recent exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo. The outings highlighted critical issues such as poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on possession downs.
Smith is certainly no stranger to overcoming adversity. In 2019, as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, he experienced a rough preseason where his team managed only 7 points across three games. However, they turned things around spectacularly, scoring 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. That season, the Titans went on to rank 10th in the NFL in scoring, and their star running back, Derrick Henry, claimed the first of his consecutive rushing titles.
The Steelers, now under Smith's guidance, appear to be in a period of critical evaluation and adjustment. Particularly, Smith's approach seems focused on "honing fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a cohesive performance when the games count," as the Pittsburgh offense adapts to its new structure.
The quarterback situation remains a significant area of focus. Currently, Zach Wilson is sitting atop the depth chart over Justin Fields. During their recent loss to Buffalo, Wilson went 8 of 10 for 47 yards but was sacked three times and did not lead the team to a single score. Fields has also struggled throughout the preseason, presenting a difficult decision for Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who has the final call on the starting quarterback.
“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 emphasized, indicating his focus on long-term improvement over short-term setbacks.
The upcoming preseason finale against Detroit looms large, yet a decision on whether Wilson will play is still pending. Smith's quote encapsulates the cautious yet diligent approach he appears to be taking: "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.”
Pittsburgh’s quarterback room saw a major overhaul in the offseason. Last season, under then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, the starting offense scored touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions—a stark contrast to the current scenario. These struggles contributed to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada, paving the way for Smith's appointment.
Smith himself acknowledges the weight of the quarterback decision but seems to distance himself from it, stating, "That's not a decision I have the burden to make." It is clear that while Smith focuses on rectifying structural and fundamental aspects of the offense, the ultimate call on who will lead under center rests with Coach Tomlin.
The narrative in Pittsburgh is one of cautious optimism interwoven with the pragmatism of a team striving to improve. As the season draws nearer, the true test for Arthur Smith and his restructured offense will be whether they can transform preseason struggles into regular season success, much like Smith did with the Titans in 2019.