As the Pittsburgh Steelers advance through their preseason schedule, their offensive struggles have become increasingly evident.
Offensive Woes Evident in Preseason
In two preseason matchups, the Steelers' offense has managed to put up just 15 points. In their most recent outing, a 9-3 defeat, the team's offensive issues were on full display. Only three of those 15 points came with quarterback Justin Fields on the field. The persistent lack of pass protection has hindered any opportunity for Fields to establish a consistent offensive rhythm.
Challenges in Pass Protection
Against the Buffalo Bills, Russell Wilson also faced significant challenges. Across five series, Wilson was unable to orchestrate a single scoring drive and was sacked three times. Head coach Mike Tomlin accentuated the adverse 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."
Greg Rousseau of the Bills took advantage of the inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle for the game, further exposing the vulnerabilities in the offensive line. Justin Fields was sacked once during the game, adding to the offensive woes.
Injuries Adding to the Woes
Adding to the Steelers' challenges, veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially out for the season due to a torn rotator. The team also faces the setback of having rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu sidelined with an injury.
Tomlin did not mince words when addressing the need for improved pass protection: "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general. 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."
Upcoming Decisions
As the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions approaches, Coach Tomlin will be closely monitoring the performances of the offensive line. The effectiveness of the line will be crucial in his decision-making process for determining which quarterback will start in Pittsburgh’s final preseason game.
To sum up, the Pittsburgh Steelers face a pivotal moment in their preseason campaign. The struggles on offense, exacerbated by insufficient pass protection and key injuries, have underscored the substantial work needed before the regular season kicks off. Tomlin’s focus on these issues reflects his commitment to finding solutions and putting his team in the best position to compete once the games begin to count.
While preseason games are traditionally a time for experimentation and evaluation, the Steelers' offensive challenges have brought about a sense of urgency. Correcting these weaknesses will be essential if the team hopes to carry momentum into the regular season.