Steelers' Offensive Struggles Persist Through Preseason
As the Pittsburgh Steelers advance through their preseason schedule, the glaring issues on offense have drawn significant concern. Through two preseason games, the Steelers have managed just 15 points, underscoring a series of offensive struggles that have been hard to ignore.
Challenges Under Center
The most recent 9-3 loss against the Buffalo Bills highlighted these difficulties. Notably, the Steelers' sporadic offensive success included only three points generated while Justin Fields was on the field. Fields, hindered by persistent lack of pass protection, found it challenging to establish any consistent rhythm.
Russell Wilson, who led the offense in five series, was unable to orchestrate a single scoring drive, a troubling observation as he was sacked three times. The offensive woes didn’t go unnoticed by head coach Mike Tomlin, who has been vocal about his concerns. "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. “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."
Offensive Line Under Scrutiny
Mike Tomlin’s critique did not end there. The head coach highlighted the crucial role of pass protection in the team’s offensive inefficiencies. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," Tomlin stated, emphasizing the broad scope of the problem. "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."
The inexperience of Broderick Jones, shifted to right tackle for this game, did not go unnoticed by the Bills. Greg Rousseau of Buffalo capitalized on Jones’ inexperience, further exacerbating the Steelers’ protection issues. Justin Fields was also sacked once during the contest, highlighting the recurring theme of inadequate pass blocking.
Injuries Compound Concerns
Beyond the performance issues facing the offensive line, injuries have added another layer of complexity. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially out for the season due to a torn rotator, while rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also sidelined with an injury. The loss of these key players complicates efforts to shore up the offensive line ahead of the regular season.
Focus on the Preseason Finale
With the preseason finale looming against the Detroit Lions, Tomlin will be keenly observing the offensive line's performance as he decides which quarterback will start in Pittsburgh’s final preseason game. An effective performance could provide the Steelers the offensive cohesion they need heading into the regular season.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers look to rectify their offensive troubles, much will hinge on shoring up a beleaguered offensive line and providing their quarterbacks with the protection needed to find their rhythm. The observations from the final preseason game will be crucial, both for the team’s immediate prospects and for setting the tone of the offense as they head into the new season.