Steelers Players Are Optimistic Through 2 Weeks Because Of 1 Clear Sign On Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0 to start the 2024 season, beating the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos. This is after scoring only 31 points, including only one touchdown. Despite the offensive growing pains we are seeing, and even though the team is using their backup quarterback, Justin Fields, the media has sensed a new feeling of optimism in the locker room. 

Recently, wide receiver George Pickens told the media after practice that he believes "the dam is about to break" on this offense. He said the Steelers must eliminate the penalties that plagued them the first two weeks.

Those penalties gut-shot what could have been a strong offensive performance, especially against the Broncos, where they likely cost them at least 10 points, but more like 14. There were six huge penalties just on the offense that decimated Fields and Pickens' stat lines and made the offense look weaker than it is. Those included bringing back a 51-yard pass from Fields to Pickens on a second-and-18 that was wiped out by a call against Broderick Jones, who seemed to be off-kilter while in the game. They should have trounced the Broncos at home. 

Jeff Hawthorne, Sports Editor for 93.7 The Fan, told The Fan's Morning Show hosts, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson, that things are looking up. Crowley said the players seemed to lack faith in former Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. While they could never come right out and bash a coach, it was evident from the snide remarks that players made. He asked Hawthorne if the players feel differently now and if they believe that new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is the answer. Does Pickens actually think the dam is about to open?  

"I asked him why do you feel this way and he said, 'It's the plays, it's going vertical,' recalled Hawthorne. "Receivers at times, star receivers, are gonna have issues because they feel like they can impact a game with every opportunity, and they probably could, and want more chances. I think that's why he's excited about it, he sees the vertical opportunities, he saw the throw from Fields that I mentioned. They are gonna take some chances down the field."

Smith and the Steelers might face their biggest test of this young season this Sunday in their home opener at Acrisure Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers and the Steelers both have excellent defenses. This game will be a real chess match with both of these defensive mastermind coaches attempting to out trick the other's offense. 

Steelers' Arthur Smith Is Just Getting Started

Pickens isn't the only one who believes in this offense; former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch has told reporters he does too. There has been pushback that the Steelers really haven't had a true test yet, that Atlanta and Denver aren't very good teams. However, Batch disagrees with that, especially since the Falcons beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. He said that the Steelers were able to adapt to their opponents, avoiding the middle of the field against a player like Falcons safety, Jessie Bates III, who was instrumental in the defeat of the Eagles; but then he uses the middle of the field when facing a player like Broncos cornerback, Patrick Surtain II.

Smith is known to develop strong run games and utilize multiple tight ends creatively. With the numerous offensive weapons he has at his disposal, Batch believes that Smith is just getting started.    

Do you think this offense believes in Smith more than they did in Canada? Click to comment below. 

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