As preseason football inches closer to its crescendo, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an unsettling predicament. Despite the best efforts of Head Coach Mike Tomlin, the team’s offensive unit continues to falter, raising serious concerns just weeks before the regular season kick-off.
In two preseason outings, the Steelers have managed to score only 15 points, a tally that underscores their offensive woes. The team’s recent 9-3 defeat illuminated these struggles, as they failed to generate consistent offensive rhythm. Of the 15 points scored, only three came while Justin Fields was at the helm, and his attempts to establish any sort of momentum were thrashed by relentless pass-rush pressures.
Pass Protection Issues
Pass protection has emerged as a glaring deficiency. Tomlin did not mince words about this concern. “We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," he said in a blunt assessment. During the loss on Saturday night, the offense faced severe setbacks with Russell Wilson failing to orchestrate even a single scoring drive across five series, hampered by three sacks from the Buffalo Bills' defense.
Further compounding the problem was the inexperience on the offensive line, particularly the struggles of Broderick Jones. Moved to right tackle for this game, Jones became an easy target for the Bills' Greg Rousseau, who capitalized on every opportunity to exploit gaps and weaknesses. Justin Fields himself couldn’t hold his ground long enough, resulting in another sack that sent alarm bells ringing through the coaching staff.
Key Injuries
The Steelers' situation is exacerbated by crucial injuries to key players. Veteran center and guard Nate Herbig is likely out for the season due to a torn rotator cuff. Adding to the injury woes, rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also sidelined. These significant absences put additional strain on a line already grappling with cohesion and performance issues.
“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," noted Tomlin. “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.”
Looking to the Future
With the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on the horizon, Tomlin has a crucial decision to make regarding who will start at quarterback. The head coach will be closely monitoring the offensive line's performance, considering how it has fallen short in the previous games. Improvements in pass protection are not just desired—they are essential if the Steelers hope to rebound and present a competent offensive front as they lead into the regular season.
As Tomlin emphasized, “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." There is little doubt that to avoid a repeat of these lackluster performances, significant alterations and improvements are required. The upcoming game against Detroit will serve as the final test and an important checkpoint for the Steelers’ coaching staff to evaluate and make necessary adjustments.
The Steelers have historically been a team known for resilience and steadfastness. However, the path ahead appears daunting. An offensive overhaul is imminent, and the crucial steps taken in the following weeks will likely determine the trajectory of Pittsburgh’s early season.