Arthur Smith Faces Early Challenges as Pittsburgh's Offensive Coordinator
The Pittsburgh Steelers are navigating turbulent waters in the preseason, with newly appointed offensive coordinator Arthur Smith working to solidify a cohesive and effective offense. The spotlight has shined uncomfortably bright on Pittsburgh's ongoing struggles, highlighted by exhibition losses to Houston and Buffalo. Amidst issues with poor offensive line play, pre-snap penalties, and a failure to convert on possession downs, Smith has his work cut out for him.
Smith brings experience from his stint as offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019, a season where Derrick Henry won his first of consecutive rushing titles and the team ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring. Despite putting up a meager 7 points across three preseason games that year, the Titans exploded for 43 points in Week 1 of the regular season. This precedent offers a glimmer of hope for Steelers fans looking for reassurance.
However, the situation in Pittsburgh is compounded by uncertainties at the quarterback position. Zach Wilson currently holds a slim edge over Justin Fields on the depth chart, but his performance has been underwhelming. Completing 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards and enduring three sacks in the loss to Buffalo, Wilson failed to lead the Steelers to a single score during his time on the field. Fields, for his part, has also struggled to put points on the board throughout the preseason.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin holds the ultimate authority in deciding who will start under center when the regular season begins. The pending decision on whether Wilson will even play in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against Detroit adds another layer of complexity to this developing situation.
"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," said Smith, summarizing the precarious position the team finds itself in.
Last season's offensive woes culminated in the dismissal of then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, a move necessitated by inefficiencies that saw the starting offense, led by then-quarterback Kenny Pickett, fail to live up to expectations despite a strong preseason performance. Smith has since overseen a major overhaul of the quarterback room, prioritizing fundamentals and a reduction in penalties this year.
Smith’s belief in battling through adversity was evident in his commendation of his players. "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," he noted, highlighting the resilience and commitment of his team, even amidst their early struggles.
The focus now for the Steelers is clear: refine their fundamentals, reduce self-inflicted errors, and ensure that the team is fully aligned and prepared when regular season games carry meaningful weight. As Smith aptly put it, "That's not a decision I have the burden to make," referring to the eventual quarterback decision that Tomlin will preside over. For now, all hands are on deck to right the ship and prepare for a season filled with lofty expectations and challenging opponents.
The thoughts swirling around preseason performances may be mixed, but sustained success in the regular season requires a collective effort. Smith's tenure with the Titans serves as a reminder that a slow start doesn't preclude a powerful finish. It’s this very ethos he is striving to instill in Pittsburgh—building a resilient, high-performing offense ready to defy early doubts and turn potential into palpable success. The journey begins with getting the fundamentals right and pushing through the trials of the preseason.