The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of new faces in the locker room for the 2024 season. Several player additions have caught the eyes of fans, but perhaps the most intriguing move throughout the offseason months was the hiring of Arthur Smith to be the team's new offensive coordinator. After a terrible two and a half season stretch, Matt Canada was fired by Head Coach Mike Tomlin as the organization neared the end-of-season run in 2023. Fans expected plenty of changes and even though the unit didn't score a touchdown in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, there was one glaring difference.
Canada's offense had no rhythm and oftentimes, it seemed like the group he was coaching had not bought into what he wanted to accomplish. That could be related to disastrous jet sweeps, the lack of play-action passing, or simply not focusing on key players such as Pat Freiermuth. The Smith offense has already proven to be much different after a single contest.
The Steelers didn't accomplish too much offensively down in Atlanta, but one thing that did stick out was the ability to have a game plan, and stick to it. Nothing was very pretty, but everyone expected Pittsburgh to focus on the rushing attack while mixing in the play-action to keep the defense out of sorts. Despite not moving the ball tremendously well, Smith stuck to that plan and the result was no turnovers and doing just enough to get into field goal range for Chris Boswell.
The numbers are a bit skewed in the running game because of Justin Fields' 14 carries and George Pickens' one for a loss of negative 10 yards, but despite not having the average yards per carry that many would liked to have seen, Smith and co. honed in on the rushing attack, ate up some clock, and most importantly, only had two three-and-outs.
Nothing is going to be perfect in Week 1 when the games matter for the first time in nine months or so. The Steelers have plenty of work to do, but instead of bailing on the game plan and panicking with play-calling, Smith stuck to what he knew was going to work. It was refreshing to watch a unit that seems ready to have an identity, and the top two targets in the passing game were exactly what they should have been in Pickens and Freiermuth.
The best offenses in the league buy into a concept and execute it. Canada was often quoted saying that his group wasn't executing, but Smith won't have to say that when he speaks to the media ahead of Week 2. There are several kinks to work out, but the offensive line will only get better, running game will get stronger, and the play-action passing will follow suit.
The Steelers' beginning stretch of the 2024 campaign is critical. Wins are the most important at this time of the year, especially given a tough end to the season schedule-wise, but it is just as crucial to find an identity, and stick with it. Smith already seems like he has his guys ready to execute a specific plan, which can be successful regardless of which player is playing at the quarterback position.
Steelers Head Into Week 2 Matchup With Much To Build Off Of
The defense was exactly what everyone expected it to be against the Falcons. It was as dominant as ever and will only get better. If everyone stays healthy, the sky is the limit and achieving top status in the NFL is not out of the question. The offense still has plenty to improve on, but step one was showcasing a confidence in what Smith is trying to accomplish. That happened and now it will be important to turn those field goals into touchdowns instead.
