Arthur Smith’s New Era in Pittsburgh: Navigating Preseason Turbulence
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are looking at a new face on the sidelines this preseason. Arthur Smith, now steering the offensive playbook as the team's new offensive coordinator, has faced initial challenges. The Steelers experienced exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo, exposing several critical issues.
The problems were glaring—poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a conspicuous inability to convert on possession downs. These flaws were symbolic of issues that plagued the Steelers during these preseason matchups.
Smith's tenure at the Tennessee Titans in 2019 offers a glimmer of hope. That year, despite struggles in preseason, the Titans mustered only seven points across three games before unleashing an offensive barrage with 43 points in their regular season opener. Under Smith's guidance, the Titans ultimately ranked 10th in scoring for the season. Moreover, Derrick Henry clinched his first of consecutive rushing titles, hinting at Smith's ability to ignite and sustain offensive prowess.
Quarterback Dilemmas
One of the most intriguing storylines during this preseason is the quarterback battle in Pittsburgh. Zach Wilson currently holds the edge over Justin Fields on the depth chart. Wilson’s performance, however, raised questions. Completing eight of ten passes for a mere 47 yards and being sacked three times in the loss to Buffalo, Wilson failed to lead Pittsburgh to a single scoring drive during his time on the field. Fields, similarly, has found it hard to put points on the board.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin maintains ultimate authority on the decision regarding the starting quarterback. The debate remains unresolved, with a decision pending on whether Wilson will see action in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against Detroit.
Reflecting on a Changing Roster
The Steelers’ offense has seen substantial changes in the last year. The previous season, under the leadership of then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, the starting offense secured touchdowns on all five of their preseason possessions. Yet, the season's struggles led to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada and ushered in this new era under Smith.
Smith spoke candidly about this transition: "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 clearly aims to ensure that the issues faced in preseason do not carry over into games that count. The primary focus appears to be on refining fundamentals, curbing penalties, and achieving a cohesive and efficient performance.
A Tough Road Ahead
Adapting to Smith's new strategies and play-calling style is no small feat for the Pittsburgh roster. Smith has advocated for players stepping up under challenging circumstances. "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 lauded, emphasizing the grit and determination required at this level.
The overhaul of Pittsburgh’s quarterback room has signaled the start of a significant transition under Smith's guidance. Question marks surrounding the offensive line, quarterback performance, and overall offensive efficiency are points of concern but also areas for potential growth and improvement.
As the regular season looms, the Steelers and their fans are eager to see how these preseason tribulations will translate on the field when it matters most. Smith’s track record offers cautious optimism. After all, it's often the roughest starts that lead to the most satisfying triumphs. For now, Pittsburgh continues to fine-tune its strategy, determined to shake off their preseason woes and showcase a reinvigorated team ready to contend.