Pittsburgh Steelers' Preseason Struggles and Changes Under Arthur Smith
As the Pittsburgh Steelers transition into a new era with Arthur Smith helming the offensive coordinator role, the preseason has illuminated both challenges and opportunities for the team. Despite recent exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo, the squad remains hopeful about turning things around.
Poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and an inability to convert on possession downs have been the prominent themes during the losses. These are areas that Smith aims to address urgently before the regular season kicks off.
Arthur Smith’s proven capability from his tenure with the Tennessee Titans brings a ray of hope to Pittsburgh. In 2019, under Smith’s guidance, the Titans scored only 7 points across three preseason games but exploded with 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. The Titans ultimately ranked 10th in NFL scoring that year, punctuated by Derrick Henry's first rushing title.
The Steelers' current offensive challenges are reminiscent of preseason clouds that often distort reality. "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 mentioned candidly, reflecting his awareness of the critical adjustments needed.
This offseason saw significant changes for the Steelers, particularly in the quarterback room, influenced heavily by Smith's strategic vision. Zach Wilson now tops the depth chart over Justin Fields, adding a fresh dynamic to the team's offensive strategies. However, not all has gone according to plan. Wilson's performance against Buffalo was less than stellar, completing 8 of 10 passes for a meager 47 yards and suffering three sacks. He failed to lead Pittsburgh to a score during his time on the field.
Similarly, Justin Fields has struggled to ignite the offense throughout the preseason. The collective underperformance raises questions about who will claim the starting quarterback role as the regular season looms. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is the decision-maker for this critical choice, a decision that has Pittsburgh fans watching closely. For now, it remains uncertain whether Wilson will take the field in the upcoming preseason finale against Detroit.
Smith's predecessor, Matt Canada, faced the axe after last season's offensive struggles. Ironically, Pittsburgh's starting offense, quarterbacked by Kenny Pickett, managed to score touchdowns on all five preseason possessions last season—an achievement that proved illusory as the regular season unfolded. This year, Arthur Smith aims for more sustainable success with a back-to-basics approach.
The emphasis is now on honing fundamentals, cutting down on penalties, and fostering team cohesion. "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 stated, commending the effort and grit shown by individual players despite the broader struggles.
Smith's pragmatic perspective is evident: "That's not a decision I have the burden to make," he remarked about the starting quarterback dilemma, signifying the collaborative yet targeted approach underway in Pittsburgh. The narrative focused on adjusting, learning, and preparing for the moments when the games truly matter.
With the preseason wrapping up and the regular season approaching, the primary goal remains clear for Pittsburgh Steelers—transform preseason woes into regular season wins. Under Smith's guidance, there's cautious optimism that the tide will turn, reflective of the offensive masterminds who defy early stumbles for ultimate success.