The Pittsburgh Steelers are ushering in a new era with the appointment of Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator, a position he previously held with the Tennessee Titans. The move comes after a series of disappointing exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo, marked by poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and an inability to convert on possession downs.
Smith’s track record with the Titans brings a glimmer of hope to Steelers fans. In 2019, under his guidance, Tennessee's offense initially struggled, scoring only 7 points across three preseason games. However, they turned things around dramatically, putting up 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. That season, the Titans ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring, and star running back Derrick Henry secured the first of his consecutive rushing titles.
For Pittsburgh, the focus now is on correcting fundamental issues. The offensive line’s struggles and the penalties have been glaring, and Smith acknowledges the need for improvement. "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 remarked.
The quarterback situation is also under scrutiny, with Zach Wilson currently topping the depth chart over Justin Fields. Wilson's performance against Buffalo was far from reassuring; he completed 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards, was sacked three times, and failed to lead the Steelers to a single score during his time on the field. Fields, too, has struggled to score points throughout the preseason, contributing to the uncertainty.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin retains the final say on the starting quarterback, and a decision on whether Wilson will play in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against Detroit is still up in the air. "That's not a decision I have the burden to make," Smith acknowledged, indicating the complexity of the choice.
The Steelers' offense has seen significant changes over the past year. Last season, then-quarterback Kenny Pickett led the starting offense to touchdowns on each of its five preseason possessions, a stark contrast to the current offensive woes. The struggles of last season ultimately led to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Matt Canada, paving the way for Smith’s arrival and a major overhaul of Pittsburgh’s quarterback room during the offseason.
Under Smith’s guidance, the focus remains on honing fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a cohesive performance when the regular season begins. “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 added, highlighting the resilience and effort seen in practice.
As the preseason progresses, the Steelers’ revamped offense continues to work through its growing pains. The upcoming matchup against Detroit provides another opportunity to fine-tune and make key decisions before Week 1. With a new coordinator at the helm and significant changes throughout the roster, the Steelers are looking to find their stride and establish a solid foundation for the season ahead.