Offensive Struggles Plague Pittsburgh Steelers in Preseason
As the Pittsburgh Steelers advance through their preseason schedule, the glaring issues on the offensive front have become increasingly difficult to ignore. Over the course of two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has only managed to score 15 points, a statistic that underscores their recent struggles.
The team’s 9-3 loss on a recent Saturday night encapsulated these offensive challenges succinctly. Out of those 15 points, only three were earned while Justin Fields was on the field. This performance speaks volumes about a persistent problem—the lack of adequate pass protection—which has stymied any efforts by Fields to find his rhythm and establish a consistent offensive flow.
On the other side of the ball, Russell Wilson, over the span of five series against the Buffalo Bills, failed to orchestrate a single scoring drive. His night was further marred by being sacked three times, adding to the team’s woes.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has been vocal regarding the detrimental effects of poor pass protection on the team’s performance. "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 stated. "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."
The ineffectiveness on the field has highlighted several key areas in need of immediate improvement. Broderick Jones, recently moved to right tackle for the game, showed signs of inexperience, a weakness that Buffalo's Greg Rousseau wasted no time exploiting. Justin Fields also found himself on the ground, sacked once, a testament to the continuous pressure faced by the offensive line.
Moreover, the team’s roster has been dealt significant blows due to injuries. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially out for the season due to a torn rotator cuff. Compounding the issue, rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is currently sidelined with an injury. These absences have only magnified the offensive line’s struggles, forcing the coaching staff to reassess and reconfigure their strategies.
As the Steelers prepare for their preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Tomlin's focus will be squarely on the performance of the offensive line. Decisions regarding the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh’s final preseason game will hinge largely on how well the line can protect its playmakers and establish an effective offensive scheme.
Tomlin’s frustration with the current state of the offense was palpable following the recent game. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did—not only in possession downs but just in general," he remarked. "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."
This critical evaluation from the head coach makes it clear: improvements must be made, and they must be made swiftly. The preseason games are pivotal for ironing out these issues before the regular season commences. As the Steelers work to address these challenges, all eyes will be on how the team adjusts and overcomes the barriers they've faced thus far.