The Steelers offense has underwhelmed of their first two video games of the preseason with simply 15 factors and two losses to point out.
It has prompted many to panic following an offseason filled with change in Pittsburgh, however new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is not too fearful fairly but.
“Preseason can distort actuality, good or unhealthy. We have all seen it,” Smith said. “That is not acceptable, however on the identical time, you’d fairly undergo that now then have that occur Week 1.”
Smith has a degree. Though he wasn’t a member of the 2023 Steelers teaching workers, Pittsburgh had itself a preseason to recollect. By way of three video games, the Steelers averaged 26 factors per sport as quarterback Kenny Pickett completed with an ideal passer ranking and an undefeated document.
Since then, nonetheless, Pittsburgh fired former offensive coordinator Matt Canada, didn’t win a playoff sport for the seventh straight 12 months and Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Which means you should not let your eyes idiot you this time of 12 months. After all, the sooner success, the higher, however the Steelers are working with a number of new items, most notably quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Wilson has the “pole place” to be Pittsburgh’s Week 1 starter, however final weekend was his first preseason motion after injuring his calf earlier than the beginning of coaching camp.
On Tuesday, Smith praised Wilson’s resilience.
“I give Russ loads of credit score for going on the market,” Smith added. “I feel loads of guys in that state of affairs could have tapped out. He hadn’t had sufficient reps. He wished to go on the market.”
Wilson and the first-team offense have been initially slated for roughly 4 collection, however he determined to stay it out for an additional couple of collection after the disappointing begin.
Whereas they have been nonetheless held scoreless, Smith nonetheless gained some additional respect for Wilson.
“Would by no means put any individual on the market that wasn’t medically cleared, however he hasn’t gotten loads of reps,” Smith finished. “I do not care what number of years you’ve got been on this factor … the nice ones wish to get on the market.”
The Steelers offense can have one final alternative to bounce again within the preseason once they journey to Detroit to face the Lions on Saturday, however even with their early struggles, bear in mind to calm down.
All quotations obtained firsthand except in any other case famous.
