The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense struggled significantly throughout the 2023 season, prompting a series of major moves during the offseason aimed at revitalizing their performance. A key decision was the hiring of Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who joined the team after three seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. While Smith faced challenges in Atlanta, his tenure as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans was marked by notable success, demonstrating his potential to enhance Pittsburgh’s offensive capabilities.
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Steelers QBs Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2) before their preseason game versus the Bills.
This offseason, the Steelers also made significant changes to their quarterback room. They acquired veteran Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields, adding two quarterbacks with uncertain current capabilities to their lineup. The team’s recent performance, including a disappointing showing from both Wilson and Fields in a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, has heightened concerns about the effectiveness of their new quarterback arrangement.
In light of these concerns, former NFL General Manager Michael Lombardi offered some advice on The Pat McAfee Show. Lombardi suggested that the Steelers consider reaching out to Ryan Tannehill, one of Smith’s former quarterbacks, as a potential solution to their ongoing quarterback dilemma.
"With the line being as bad as it was, is Ryan Tannehill sitting out their on the street? Do you make that phone call? Do you make the phone call to Ryan Tannehill? He knows Arthur's offense. The rookie first-round pick from last year, [Broderick] Jones, just got pushed right back. Nobody can play quarterback in that situation."
Lombardi's suggestion for the Steelers to reach out to Tannehill seems misguided. The concerns he raised about Broderick Jones struggling with quarterback protection don't necessarily imply that Tannehill would fare any better—indeed, he likely would perform worse. While Tannehill is familiar with Smith's system, his recent performances have been less than stellar.
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Former Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill throws a pass during a home game.
With Wilson, Fields, and Kyle Allen already on the roster, the Steelers are unlikely to pursue another quarterback at this stage. Their priority should be determining the starter among the current options rather than adding another competitor for the backup spot.
During Smith’s tenure as the offensive coordinator for the Titans, Tannehill enjoyed the best years of his career. In the 2019 season, Tannehill completed 67.3% of his passes for 6,561 yards, with 55 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions, while leading the Titans to an 18-8 record over two seasons.
However, Tannehill has struggled without Smith’s system. Assuming he could seamlessly return to his peak performance is unrealistic. The Steelers need to focus on optimizing their current quarterback lineup, ensuring they select the best option to lead the team through the 2024 season.
In his debut against the Bills, Wilson played five offensive series but managed only one first down. He completed 80% of his passes, totaling 47 yards, but failed to make a significant impact. The lackluster performance has raised concerns among Steelers fans. Smith revealed that he limited Wilson’s play-calling to avoid risking further injury, as Wilson had been dealing with a sore calf that had sidelined him during parts of training camp.
Steelers' Offense Scoring Just Three Points Against The Bills' Backups Is Alarming
In contrast, Fields showcased some exciting moments, though he didn't lead a touchdown drive. His highlights were among the few bright spots, yet the fact that both Wilson and Fields played the entire game and only managed three points against the Bills’ second, third, and fourth-string defenses is troubling.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields look on during camp.
While Fields impressed fans with his potential, Wilson still appears to be the favored candidate for the Week 1 starting role. Smith remains unconcerned about the current quarterback performance and offensive struggles, attributing them to the growing pains of a new system with fresh personnel.
Giving Tannehill a call wouldn’t make much sense, as it wouldn’t address the core issues. The Steelers' focus will remain on getting Wilson fully healthy and likely moving forward with him as their starter.
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