Smith Takes Helm as Pittsburgh's New Offensive Coordinator Amid Preseason Struggles
The Pittsburgh Steelers are navigating through a transitional phase as Arthur Smith steps in as the new offensive coordinator. The early signs have been anything but smooth, following exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo. These defeats were marked by poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on critical downs.
In 2019, Smith served as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, where he was credited with a remarkable turnaround. Despite managing only seven points in three preseason games that year, the Titans stunned everyone by scoring 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. The team eventually ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring, with Derrick Henry winning his first of consecutive rushing titles. Steelers fans hope Smith can replicate some of that Tennessee magic in Pittsburgh.
Quarterback Conundrum
Amidst these challenges, the quarterback situation remains unsettled. Zach Wilson is currently at the top of the depth chart over Justin Fields. Wilson's recent performance, however, left much to be desired. In the loss to Buffalo, he completed 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards but was sacked three times and failed to lead Pittsburgh to a single score during his time on the field. Fields, like Wilson, has also struggled to find the end zone throughout the preseason.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin holds the ultimate decision-making power regarding the starting quarterback position. A final verdict on whether Wilson will play in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against Detroit is still pending. Smith has remained diplomatic, stating, "That's not a decision I have the burden to make."
Learning From Last Season
Last season’s offensive struggles under then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada led to drastic changes. Despite a promising preseason where then-quarterback Kenny Pickett led the starting offense to touchdowns on each of its five possessions, the regular season did not meet expectations, prompting the organization's decision to make a change at the coordinator position. Under Smith’s guidance, the Steelers also overhauled their quarterback room during the offseason, aiming to foster a more competitive and dynamic environment.
Smith acknowledges that preseason can be deceptive. "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," he remarked. Despite the struggles, he emphasizes that these challenges are best faced now rather than during the regular season.
Focus on Fundamentals
The emphasis now is on honing fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a cohesive performance when it truly matters. Smith praised players like Russ, emphasizing his dedication: "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." This attitude is what Smith hopes will permeate the entire team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The coming weeks will be crucial for the Steelers as they aim to iron out their issues before the regular season kicks off. With a new offensive coordinator and several changes on the roster, the team is in a state of flux but also one of potential. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Smith can bring the kind of offensive resurgence he once achieved with the Titans.