Concern That Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Controlling The Offensive Game Plan And Handcuffing Arthur Smith Have Emerged

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a win they weren't expected to get against the Atlanta Falcons during Week 1. That win came despite Russell Wilson's inactivity due to a lingering calf injury, which allowed Justin Fields to start. Since so much of this offense is new, including Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, no one was sure what to expect. 

The offense failed to score even a single touchdown, scoring all 18 points off the foot of Chris Boswell, but that didn't mean it was a failure. Unlike the offense under Matt Canada, the team sustained drives down the field, giving the defense time to catch their breath.  

As the game started, it felt like Smith was ultra-conservative. As Fields got comfortable, he opened up the playbook some and was more consistently creative than anything we had seen recently. However, the commentary from fans was mixed, as some felt he was holding back.  

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo joined the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show and talked with the hosts Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson about what he saw in Week 1. They asked him what he thought about Smith's game plan against the Falcons. He said he thinks Head Coach Mike Tomlin had a bigger hand in what happened than people realize.    

"They won," conceded Fittipaldo. "I know there was a lot of criticism during the game, especially early on, because it did look a lot like a Matt Canada offense with the sideway passes and everything. But I got to be honest with you. I think a lot of that is Mike Tomlin telling Arthur [Smith] this is the way he wants to play. I don't think it's coincidence that you didn't see any passes over the middle again. Mike Tomlin always talks about the high-traffic areas over the middle of the field, that's where turnovers happen. I don't want to say Arthur was handcuffed, but I definitely think Mike wanted it to be a more conservative game plan. And why not? When you have that defense and they are playing the way they are right now, I think it's a really good formula to win while the offense gets its sea legs."

Fittipaldo said that it made sense for Smith to run a conservative game with only a few shots down the field, which all went to George Pickens. It may not have been a high-flying aerial game, but Fields was able to connect with Pickens when it mattered.  

It isn't clear if Wilson will be able to start Week 2 against his old team, the Denver Broncos. Tomlin was typically cagey about it during his weekly press conference. However, Fittipaldo expects there is a good chance we will see Fields again, and if we do, we will likely see a similar game plan. 

"I don't think we're gonna see like a 300-yard game or a three-touchdown performance from Justin as long as Mike and Arthur are calling the game the way they called it against the Falcons."

Fields completed 17 of 23 attempted passes against the Falcons for 156 yards. He also rushed 14 times for another 57 yards. Both quarterbacks are fighting for the future of their careers, and Fields wants to prove that he is as talented as people expected him to be when he was drafted. 

Steelers' Russell Wilson Frustrated After The Game

Wilson is also fighting for his career, except he wants to prove that he still has what it takes to lead a team. According to reporter Mark Kaboly, Wilson was seen "scowling" after the win over the Falcons. This isn't surprising, given that this calf injury has held him back for over a month. Wilson is a competitor, a nine-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion; he wants to be the one to lead the Steelers to victory. Unfortunately for Wilson, he is battling this injury and Father Time. At 35, he knows the older you get, the harder it is to heal. 

How much of a hand do you think Tomlin has in the offensive play-calling? Click to comment below.

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