Arthur Smith Takes the Helm in Pittsburgh Amid Offseason Overhaul
The Pittsburgh Steelers have ushered in a new era on the offensive side of the ball with the addition of Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator. Smith, who previously held the same position with the Tennessee Titans in 2019, faces the challenge of revitalizing a Steelers' offense that has struggled in the preseason under various stumbling blocks, including poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and an inability to convert on crucial possession downs.
Smith's arrival in Pittsburgh comes after a season in which the Steelers' offense, led by then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, was notably efficient during the preseason, scoring touchdowns on each of its five possessions. However, this efficiency failed to carry over into the regular season, leading to the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Expectations are high for Smith, who orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Titans in 2019, culminating in a Top 10 scoring offense and Derrick Henry's first of two consecutive rushing titles.
Despite the pedigree Smith brings to the job, the preseason has not been kind to the Steelers. Exhibition losses to the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills have laid bare some of the same issues that plagued last season's team. Specifically, the offensive line's inability to protect the quarterback and costly pre-snap penalties have stymied the offense's rhythm. “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 acknowledged.
The preseason struggles extend to the quarterback position, where Zach Wilson currently holds the top spot on the depth chart over Justin Fields. Wilson has had a rough start, completing 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards while being sacked three times in the loss to Buffalo. More concerning was Wilson's inability to lead the team to a single score during his time on the field. Justin Fields hasn't fared much better, also struggling to put points on the board.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin is ultimately responsible for making the final decision on the starting quarterback, a decision that carries significant weight as the Steelers try to rectify last year's offensive woes. Arthur Smith downplayed his role in the decision-making process, saying, “That's not a decision I have the burden to make.” Whether Wilson will see action in the preseason finale against Detroit remains uncertain, adding another layer of intrigue to the quarterback competition.
The significant changes within the offensive unit go beyond just the quarterbacks. Under Smith's guidance, the entire quarterback room underwent a major overhaul during the offseason. The focus now is on honing the fundamentals, reducing penalties, and ensuring a cohesive performance when the games matter. “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 said, highlighting the commitment of veteran players to the team's success.
As the Steelers prepare for their final preseason matchup and look ahead to the regular season, the pressure is on Arthur Smith to deliver results. The team’s performance in the upcoming weeks will be scrutinized closely, with fans and analysts alike eager to see whether the new offensive coordinator can recreate the magic he found in Tennessee. The goal is clear: to transform the offseason's potential into regular-season success and reinvigorate an offense that has struggled to find its identity.