A New Era for Pittsburgh's Offense Under Arthur Smith
As the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves grappling with early preseason struggles, eyes turn to their new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, who has assumed the helm with the task of revitalizing the team’s offensive machinery.
Arthur Smith, the seasoned coordinator brought in from the Tennessee Titans, is no stranger to turnaround stories. In 2019, Smith led the Titans' offense to a top-10 scoring finish in the NFL, a season highlighted by Derrick Henry's first of consecutive rushing titles. That success, however, was prefaced by a less-than-encouraging preseason, where the Titans managed only seven points across three games before a striking 43-point output in Week 1 of the regular season. Smith's tenure in Tennessee provides a blueprint of hope reflecting that early stumbling doesn't always predict regular-season performance.
But hope might be quickly dampened by Pittsburgh's recent exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo. Highlighting the squad’s plight were issues of poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and an inability to convert on possession downs. Smith himself admitted, "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."
Compounding the offensive woes is an uncertain quarterback situation. Zach Wilson currently tops the depth chart over Justin Fields for the Steelers. Wilson, who went 8 of 10 for 47 yards against Buffalo, was sacked three times and failed to lead Pittsburgh to a single score during his tenure on the field. Justin Fields has similarly struggled to put points on the board throughout the preseason, intensifying the spotlight on Pittsburgh’s signal-caller conundrum. The final decision on the starting quarterback rests with Head Coach Mike Tomlin, keeping fans and analysts alike on edge.
Smith’s challenge isn’t just about fine-tuning the quarterback play. Last season saw major changes within Pittsburgh’s offense, the aftermath of which included the dismissal of then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Pittsburgh's starting offense, led by Kenny Pickett at that time, managed touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions, contrasting sharply with this year’s faltering starts. Despite these changes, the task at hand remains to hone fundamentals, reduce penalties, and deliver cohesive performances when it matters most.
The pressure on Smith is palpable, yet he comes with a clear-eyed perspective on the preamble to success. "That's not a decision I have the burden to make," he remarked, underscoring the shared responsibility within the coaching cadre. As Pittsburgh eyes its preseason finale against Detroit, where a decision on Wilson’s participation still hangs in the balance, Smith offers a pragmatic balance of optimism and realism. "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 noted, highlighting the resilience and commitment of his players, particularly in challenging circumstances.
This new chapter for the Steelers is underscored by significant changes, not just in coaching roles but across the personnel spectrum. Arthur Smith's tenure heralds a period of transformation aimed at restoring the prowess of Pittsburgh’s offense. Whether these preseason woes are mere growing pains or indicative of deeper issues remains to be determined. The real judgment will come when the regular season kicks off, providing a true litmus test for Smith’s strategic acumen and the team’s newfound resolve.
The Steelers' fanbase, known for its passion and high expectations, will be closely monitoring if their team can rebound from these pre-season setbacks. As the countdown to Week 1 continues, Arthur Smith's experience and strategic playbook could be the keystone Pittsburgh needs to rebuild and succeed.