Steelers' Jonnu Smith Reveals Message "Spreading Like A Virus" In Offensive Meetings

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very interesting offensive gameplan throughout the 2025 season, but it has been successful for the most part in 2025. They love loading up with the jumbo formation to setup both the run and the pass game. The ball gets spread out everywhere, and it rarely seems like Aaron Rodgers makes a pre-snap call of where he's throwing unless he audibles to a quick out when the defensive back is playing off coverage. As long as it works, nobody will complain about it being archaic. 

As reported by Joe Rutter of TribLive, tight end Jonnu Smith spoke about the philosophy of the offense, and everyone understands what's going on.

"Look at the stat sheet and it may not be your night, but you’ve contributed in a huge way for the collective of the team win," Smith said. "That is the message that has been spreading like a virus throughout our locker room. Guys have bought into it."

Everything that the Steelers have done so far proves Smith's statement right. Back in Week 8, Rodgers' first nine completions were to all different receivers, as whoever was open got his chance with the football, including utility lineman Spencer Anderson on a tackle eligible play on the very first pass of the game. That alone proves that just getting open means the ball is going your way, so you better be ready. 

There are many ways you can contribute without getting receptions. Top receiver DK Metcalf spoke about the respect defenses give him by double-teaming him all game long sometimes. In that case, he is still helping the offense by forcing an extra defender to focus on him, when that player could be trying to stop the run, working on another receiver, or focusing more on his particular zone in coverage.

Nearly every wide receiver on the Steelers' 53-man roster is a great run blocker. For a run-first offense like Pittsburgh, that is a necessity to get on the field. From there, Rodgers will not hesitate to call an audible if any of those receivers have soft/off coverage against them in particular and get that particular wideout the ball. Contributions come from everywhere.

At the end of the day, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is not stubbornly sticking with one gameplan all year long. If someone like Calvin Austin III tends to be more open than anyone else in the game, he will get the ball more often. If Metcalf gets in favorable one-on-one matchups, just throw it up to him and see what happens. Every single detail of his offense is built on feeding the hot hand and working to everyone's strengths. 

The idea is very obvious. As long as the receivers do their work, they will get fed, even if it's not in that particular game. Even if they don't rack up a lot of receptions and yards, they will receive praise in the meeting room for doing the dirty work and allowing someone else to have a good day. Just do your job, and good things will happen.

Steelers' Philosophy Strongly Impacted Trade Deadline

While the Steelers maybe could have used some more talent at the wide receiver position, they did not pull the trigger on any deals. They stood pat and rolled with what they have because it didn't make sense to acquire a quality WR2 or 3 like Jakobi Meyers if he was only going to get a few targets per game and keep the younger players off the field more often. Now, they have all of their picks to use for 2026.

What do you think about Jonnu Smith saying that everyone is bought into the message of spreading the ball around? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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