As the Pittsburgh Steelers navigate their preseason schedule, troubling signs on offense have surfaced, casting a shadow on their upcoming season. The team has struggled to put points on the board, managing a scant 15 points over two preseason games. Saturday night’s 9-3 loss further highlighted these offensive challenges.
Of the 15 points scored, only three were registered with quarterback Justin Fields on the field. The underlying issue appears to be the persistent lack of pass protection, which has prevented Fields from establishing any form of a consistent offensive rhythm. Fields has faced considerable pressure in the pocket, resulting in one sack, and severely limiting his ability to lead the team effectively.
Offensive Line Woes
The inadequacies in pass protection aren’t isolated to Fields alone. Russell Wilson, who played five series against the Buffalo Bills, struggled to spark any scoring drive and was sacked three times. Head coach Mike Tomlin has been candid about these shortcomings, emphasizing the detrimental impact of inadequate pass protection.
"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," Tomlin said. "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."
Exploiting Inexperience
The game against the Bills exposed gaps, particularly in the offensive line. Greg Rousseau from the Bills took advantage of Broderick Jones, exploiting the rookie’s inexperience at right tackle. This move to reposition Jones did not pay off, as it led to broken plays and stalled drives. Additionally, the absence of veteran center/guard Nate Herbig, likely out for the season with a torn rotator, and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu, currently sidelined with an injury, further exacerbates the situation.
Tomlin’s Evaluation
Tomlin has expressed the urgent need for improvement. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," he stated. "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."
The team’s upcoming preseason finale against the Detroit Lions will be critical. Tomlin will be closely monitoring the offensive line performances as he deliberates which quarterback will start. The need for a stable offensive line cannot be overstated. If the pass protection does not improve, the Steelers may struggle to find their footing as they head into the regular season.
The upcoming game will serve as a crucial test for adjustments and evaluations. While preseason struggles are not uncommon, the persistent nature of these issues suggests deeper problems that the Steelers must address promptly. As Tomlin and his coaching staff work tirelessly to rectify these flaws, the performance against the Lions will provide a clearer picture of the potential adjustments and the overall readiness of the team.