Steelers' Arthur Smith Could Clash With Players Over Offensive Philosophies: "Two Quarterbacks Who Don't Want To Play That Way"

The Pittsburgh Steelers revamped a lot on the offensive side of the ball during the 2024 offseason. A new offensive coordinator is in the building in Arthur Smith, Tom Arth came on board as the new quarterbacks coach, and Zach Azzanni took over the receivers. Add in two new quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and the offense is nearly unrecognizable. Change is good, but a lot of change all at once could create some problems.

Smith comes into Pittsburgh after three below-average years as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He was hired there after just two seasons as an offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans, where he ran one of the best offenses in the league. He is known for operating a run-heavy system that focuses on play-action passing schemes. Analyst Robert Mays, who hosts The Athletic Football Show, recently raised some concerns about Smith's offense meshing well with his players.

"What do Arthur Smith's Steelers look like? What do they even look like? You have this offense where they want to attack the middle of the field, it's all under center play-action. There are two quarterbacks who don't want to play that way. Last year, they ran more wide zone than any team in the league, but you can make an argument that the Steelers' offense looked best when they were pulling Broderick Jones. Are those ideas a little bit too disparate to actually come out on the other side in a cohesive vision that's well-suited to the players? I have no idea."

Mays is essentially questioning how the players will adjust to Smith's offense, and whether or not they will accept his schemes and ideas. The offense while Smith was in Atlanta struggled, but he was also taking on all of the responsibilities of being a head coach. Now, he is back to solely scheming plays and calling them. 

In Smith's last season as an offensive coordinator in 2020, his team finished top five in both yardage and points. It's hard to argue with results like that. Mays brought up the idea that neither of the potential starting quarterbacks on the roster want to play in a run-heavy offense that's focused on play action schemes that use the middle of the field. Well, neither quarterback has a choice, and both of their careers are on their last leg. They are both searching for some sort of a revival in 2024.

The offense will be run Smith's way, but any good offensive coordinator will cater the offense slightly towards the quarterback's strengths. There will be a mixture of Smith's offensive philosophy, along with what Wilson and Fields do best. Pittsburgh ran the ball well in 2023, and that is expected to continue as Smith puts his fingerprints on Pittsburgh offensive scheme.

Steelers Offense Has No Chance Of Downgrading From The 2023 Season

Pittsburgh's offense was one of the worst in the league during the 2023 season, between bad quarterback play, horrific play-calling, and unnecessary drama. Matt Canada was fired in the middle of the season, which should have been done after 2022. Kenny Pickett couldn't find his footing and lost the starting job later in the year. Everything was a disaster, aside from the running game and George Pickens.

The rushing attack will likely take another step forward with the additions on the offensive line and the new offense being implemented. Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren could find a way to rush for 1,000 yards, after each player recorded over 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2023. Pickens is entering his first season as the true number one option in the passing game and is looking to take a step forward as well. Everything about Pittsburgh's offense is looking up, and it should be better than what was seen in 2023.

Do you share the same worries as Mays? Let us know in the comments below!

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