Arthur Smith Steps Into New Role Amid Pittsburgh’s Offensive Struggles
The Pittsburgh Steelers have welcomed Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator, a significant offseason acquisition with high expectations. Smith, known for his successful stint with the Tennessee Titans in 2019, now faces a tougher challenge: turning around a Steelers offense that has looked shaky in exhibition games.
Smith's tenure in Tennessee saw the Titans vault to 10th in the NFL in scoring, highlighted by Derrick Henry’s first of consecutive rushing titles. Despite a poor preseason in 2019, with only 7 points in three games, the Titans exploded for 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. Smith hopes to replicate some of that magic in Pittsburgh, where recent exhibition performances have been less than inspiring.
Challenges and Changes
The Steelers' preseason has been marred with struggles on the offensive side of the ball. Their exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo exposed several issues, including poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on possession downs. These problems were glaringly evident against Buffalo, where Steelers quarterback Zach Wilson managed to go 8 of 10 for 47 yards but was sacked three times and failed to lead a single scoring drive.
Wilson, currently sitting atop the depth chart over Justin Fields, has not inspired confidence. Fields, too, has faced his own difficulties in scoring throughout the preseason. Head Coach Mike Tomlin holds the ultimate decision-making power regarding which quarterback will start, and a final decision on Wilson's participation in the preseason finale against Detroit is still pending.
"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," Arthur Smith emphasized, stressing that performance must improve when the games truly count.
Overhaul and Strategy
The Steelers' offensive performance last season led to drastic measures, including the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Under Smith’s guidance, Pittsburgh's quarterback room underwent a significant overhaul during the offseason. Yet, despite these changes, notable issues persist.
In contrast to this season's preseason woes, last year's preseason showcased an offense firing on all cylinders. Led by then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Steelers' starting offense scored touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions. Such a stark difference only underlines the challenges Smith faces as he aims to forge a cohesive and productive unit.
Much of the current focus, according to Smith, is on honing fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a seamless performance when regular season games kick off. "We've got to get out of our own way," he reiterated, highlighting the need for improvement across the board.
Despite the setbacks, Smith remains optimistic. "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 commented, acknowledging the efforts of his players to adapt and persevere under challenging circumstances.
Outlook
The Steelers have undoubtedly made significant changes, not just in personnel but also in their strategic approach. With a history of managing underperforming preseason squads and turning them into competitive regular season teams, Arthur Smith brings valuable expertise and experience to Pittsburgh. The aim is to iron out the kinks and foster a disciplined, cohesive unit that can perform when it matters most.
As the preseason edges towards its conclusion, the decisions made by Smith and Tomlin will be crucial. The development of the offense and the choice of starting quarterback will undeniably set the tone for the Steelers as they aim to bounce back in the regular season.
For now, the Steeler Nation waits with bated breath to see if Smith can replicate the offensive prowess he once demonstrated with the Tennessee Titans, bringing hope and renewed vigor to a team in dire need of a turnaround.