NFL Insider: Steelers' Arthur Smith Forced To Have Very Uncomfortable Talks With Russell Wilson About Buying In

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a couple of big changes in the 2024 offseason to try and fix their awful offense. It started with bringing in Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Then, the Steelers signed Russell Wilson to a veteran one-year minimum deal. After that, they traded for another quarterback, acquiring Justin Fields. 

Both quarterbacks have helped the offense improve, but Wilson was riding high with four straight wins before losing 24-19 to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football. Before the Browns game, NFL insider Albert Breer revealed that Smith and Wilson had to have some difficult conversations to get the veteran quarterback to buy into the new system.

According to Breer, Smith laid out a vision for the Steelers' offense that focused on discipline and efficiency, elements Wilson struggled with during his time with the Denver Broncos. The uncomfortable conversations reportedly revolved around Smith demanding that Wilson adapt his playing style to fit the team’s system, including quicker decision-making and greater reliance on the run game. While Wilson initially resisted, Smith’s no-nonsense approach eventually won him over, leading to a revitalized offense and the Steelers' surprising early success.

"A huge part of this has been getting buy-in from Russell Wilson himself and that has happened from Smith and Wilson having a series of very hard, honest one on one conversations away from the other players and away from the other coaches," Breer said.

Despite the recent loss to Cleveland, Wilson’s play has been noticeably more controlled, and the Steelers’ offense has shown flashes of the consistency fans have been waiting for. 

Smith’s ability to get Wilson on the same page has been pivotal, and his leadership has created a sense of accountability throughout the team. With Fields also in the mix, the Steelers now have multiple options under center, giving the offense a chance to continue evolving as the season progresses.

A viral clip from the Browns game highlighted one of those missed chances, showing Wilson not looking at a wide-open Pat Freiermuth on what could have been a likely touchdown. The humbling loss to Cleveland served as a reality check for the Steelers and Wilson. However, at 8-3, the team remains in control of its playoff destiny, and Wilson is expected to rebound with his usual poise.

Steelers' Russell Wilson Facing Some Adversity In Pittsburgh

The progress that Steeler Nation had been celebrating came to a screeching halt when the offense failed to score any touchdowns in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. That lack of production carried into the game against the Browns, where touchdowns were hard to come by for most of the night. Though the Steelers scored twice late to take the lead, the missed opportunities left plenty to be desired.

Despite the offense's struggles for most of the night, Wilson made some incredible throws to help the Steelers take the lead. 

Russell Wilson to Calvin Austin Touchdown

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The Steelers will need that resilience from their quarterback because the schedule ahead is unforgiving. Dropping a winnable game to the Browns adds pressure to an already brutal stretch, making every remaining matchup even more critical as Pittsburgh fights to stay on top.

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