With the clock ticking down to the Pittsburgh Steelers' final preseason game, the spotlight is on the team's offense. Yet, it seems that within the locker room, there's a calm confidence rather than concern.
Wilson's Black and Gold Debut
Steelers' recently acquired quarterback, Russell Wilson, is fresh off his debut in the iconic black and gold. Wilson has confirmed his participation in Saturday's preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, remarking, "We’re playing. We're all playing. I'm excited to get back onto the field. ... I think the big thing for us is just executing, making our plays and doing our thing."
This Saturday will mark the third straight game where the first-team offense will take the field. Yet, despite the increased playing time, the unit has still not found the end zone. In their last game against the Buffalo Bills, Wilson led five drives that ultimately failed to produce any points.
Offensive Struggles
A critical factor contributing to these struggles has been the continuous shuffling of the offensive line combinations, resulting in inconsistency and lack of cohesion. Self-inflicted wounds, likely uncharacteristic penalties and missed assignments, have also plagued the unit.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has maintained a conservative approach throughout the preseason, likely in an effort to avoid revealing too much of their playbook or risking injuries. Despite these challenges, Smith remains untroubled by the preseason performance. "Someone asked if we're concerned [about the offense]. Absolutely not because the level of practices we’ve had against one of the best defenses and how we've shown up there," Wilson noted.
Opportunity Ahead
Saturday's game against the Lions represents a pivotal moment for the Steelers' offense. Beyond its immediate significance as the final preseason matchup, it's a chance for Wilson and the unit to build some momentum going into their regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The goal is clear: to "put something positive on tape" and gain the confidence necessary to start the season strong.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth articulated the collective mindset: "We talked about it as an offense, finishing off this last game with a bang and executing so we don’t go into Atlanta second guessing ourselves. We want that good taste in our mouths."
Focus and Determination
The determination and focus within the Steelers’ locker room is palpable. While the results have not been there in the preseason, the emphasis on execution and fundamentals remains steadfast. Wilson's leadership and the veterans' experience are pivotal in navigating these preseason hurdles to ensure the team hits the ground running when the games start to count.
All eyes will be on how the first-team offense performs against the Lions. Will they finally break their preseason scoring drought and give fans—and themselves—something to cheer about? The performance in the upcoming game will be crucial in shaping the narrative heading into the regular season.
As the anticipation builds, one thing is certain: the Steelers are gearing up for what they hope will be a season to remember, starting with a statement performance on Saturday.