The Pittsburgh Steelers had a less than ideal start to the 2024 preseason, as they fell to the Houston Texans 20-12 on Friday. Though at the end of the day, the result of the game won't count against the Steelers chances to reach the postseason, it's an important step along the way towards team development and correcting future problems.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Mike Tomlin emphatically making a point as head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers
As the team begins making adjustments heading into their final week of training camp, it's important to not overreact to the flaws shown during the preseason. With several questions and rumors already swirling around the team, let's take a look at some of the most notable conclusions being drawn ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Steelers Fans Not Sold On Arthur Smith Just Yet
After firing Matt Canada halfway through the 2023 campaign, the Steelers knew they needed someone to lead the offense into a brighter future. Enter Smith, who despite his struggles as a head coach with the Atlanta Falcons, was highly sought after this offseason.
With Smith calling plays in Pittsburgh, the Steelers offense struggled to put points on the board and were held to 344 total yards in his debut. It's preseason so take it with a grain of salt, but it will be interesting to see how the unit progresses in the final two exhibition matchups. All probably remember that Canada was a preseason hero in 2023.
Associated Press
Steelers' Justin Fields running with the football during camp while OC Arthur Smith gets hype.
OVERREACTION: In the first game of the 2023 preseason, the Steelers had 306 yards in their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That was the fifth highest yardage mark the team posted the entire season. In the 17 games the Steelers played during the regular season, they failed to hit 344 yards in 14 different contests. Smith has already placed himself well above Canada in Pittsburgh.
If anything was apparent against the Texans, it was the team's success in play-action. The Steelers went eight for 10 for 123 yards, including three different completions of 20 yards or more. The run game did its part to be effective as well, finishing the day averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Things certainly weren't perfect for the offense, a unit that failed to post 400 total yards yet again and had two turnovers, but for the first live action the team has had, Smith impressed as a play-caller.
Steelers Still Have A Need At Corner
As much as the offense has struggled in recent years, the cornerback room has been just as difficult to maintain consistency. This theme continued against the Texans as the team was gashed by CJ Stroud and the first-team offense. Stroud averaged 10 yards per throw including a 34 yard strike to Tank Dell for a touchdown. The starters didn't see much action in the contest, but if the depth says anything, it's that the Steelers still need help on the backend.
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CJ Stroud throws a touchdown pass as the Texans defeat the Steelers during the 2024 preseason.
VALID CONCERN: Though the team struggled against Stroud, the secondary held firm against the rest of the Texans attack, holding the other three quarterbacks to 134 yards on 31 total attempts. The Steelers did tally five total pass deflections, but otherwise failed to make splash plays that would typically be asked of them to impact the game.
The return of Minkah Fitzpatrick to the lineup, and more time on the field for the rest of the team's starters should help in the impact department, but until more time is spent on the field against true opponents, it's hard to say the Steelers have a glaring problem to be immediately addressed.
Zach Frazier Will Be The Only Rookie To Start On The Offensive Line
The Steelers made it a point of emphasis during the 2024 offseason to fortify the offensive line, drafting three offensive linemen. Mason McCormick was already likely to sit for at least a season and see very limited action, but both Frazier and Troy Fautanu were expected to start right away.
Frazier looked sharp in his limited action, not allowing any pressure on the quarterback, and opening up several running lanes. Fautanu, however, sprained his MCL and now must sit on the sidelines for a bit. With Fautanu's development now on hold, and the Steelers having quality veterans at the other positions on the line, Frazier will be the only rookie to start in 2024.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Zach Frazier gets ready to snap the ball.
OVERREACTION: There may have been a competition for the starting center spot entering into training camp, but following a rough performance by Nate Herbig, Frazier may have secured himself the starting job. Maintaining consistency is the key for Frazier to stay in that spot, but if his college tape shows anything, it's that he has a high trajectory.
With trajectory in mind, all signs still point to Fautanu starting at some point this season pending a resurgence from Dan Moore Jr. Moore may be in "pole position" working with the first team throughout camp and the preseason, but the Steelers selected Fautanu 20th overall with the future in mind. Fautanu likely will miss the last week of training camp and won't be available until Week 1 against the Falcons.
If he were a veteran this missed time would be less of a concern, but for a rookie this early development is crucial. If the team needs to truly stretch how long Fautanu is on the bench to ensure his health for the remainder of the season they will, but it's hard to imagine the rookie simply not playing at some point this season. It simply is a matter of when.
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