As the Pittsburgh Steelers push through their preseason schedule, glaring issues on offense have surfaced, raising concerns ahead of the season. Over the span of two preseason games, the Steelers have amassed a meager 15 points, highlighting their offensive struggles. This sluggish performance was painfully evident in their 9-3 loss on Saturday night.
Offensive Woes
Out of the 15 points scored, a mere three were contributed while Justin Fields was on the field, illustrating the difficulty in establishing any offensive momentum. The crux of the problem appears to be persistent issues with pass protection, which have prevented Fields from finding a consistent offensive rhythm.
Russell Wilson, who played across five series against the Buffalo Bills, similarly failed to lead a single scoring drive, a testament to the offensive line's challenges. Wilson was sacked three times during the game, further compounding the issues.
Tomlin's Concerns
Head coach Mike Tomlin was candid about the impact of inadequate pass protection. "It's somewhat of an incomplete study because you just don't get a chance to see them operate or us operate or us establish rhythm and personality when you're not winning possession downs," Tomlin remarked, emphasizing the team's struggles early in the game.
"And we weren't. The first three or so series of the game, it was three and out, and you're not going to get an opportunity to establish rhythm or play the way you'd like as an individual or a collective," he added. The repeated three-and-out drives in the initial series stunted any possibility of building offensive cohesion.
Tomlin stressed the need for improvement, stating, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general. I was really upfront with the group about it in that regard, that can't be a problem for us. We've got to be better than we were tonight in that area."
Individual Struggles
Rookie Broderick Jones, temporarily moved to right tackle for the game, was exploited by Greg Rousseau from the Bills, underscoring the inexperience and vulnerability within the Steelers' offensive line. Even Justin Fields was unable to escape unscathed, suffering a sack during the game.
Compounding these issues are injuries impacting key players. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially out for the season with a torn rotator, and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also sidelined with an injury. These setbacks further strain an already struggling offensive line, adding to Tomlin's concerns as he evaluates his options.
Preseason Finale Looms
The Steelers' preseason journey is set to culminate with a game against the Detroit Lions. This final matchup will be pivotal for Tomlin as he closely monitors the offensive line's performance. Their ability to protect the quarterback and establish any offensive rhythm will be critical in deciding who will start in Pittsburgh's final preseason game.
As the season approaches, the pressure is on for the Steelers to address these glaring issues. The coach's critiques and the evident struggles on the field have set the stage for a critical period where adjustments and improvements must be made to avoid carrying these problems into the regular season.