As the Pittsburgh Steelers stride through their preseason schedule, the team is confronting significant challenges on the offensive front. Over the span of two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has materialized a paltry 15 points, a concerning statistic for head coach Mike Tomlin and his staff.
The recent 9-3 loss on Saturday night accentuated these offensive woes. Interestingly, only three of those 15 points came with starting quarterback Justin Fields under center, a reflection of the unit's ongoing struggles. A recurring issue has been the lack of effective pass protection, which has disrupted any chance for Fields to establish a steady offensive rhythm.
Defensive Sack Struggles
Russell Wilson's performance against the Buffalo Bills epitomized the struggles Pittsburgh is facing. Across five series, Wilson failed to engineer a single scoring drive and succumbed to three sacks. Tomlin was candid about the impact of the faltering offensive line, stating, "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."
The first few series of the game were particularly frustrating, as Tomlin noted, "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."
Exploiting Inexperience
Greg Rousseau from the Bills took advantage of rookie Broderick Jones's inexperience, who was moved to right tackle for the game. Meanwhile, Justin Fields himself was sacked once, a testament to the ongoing issues in providing adequate protection for the quarterback.
In addition to the on-field struggles, the Steelers are also grappling with injuries among their offensive linemen. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially out for the season due to a torn rotator, and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also currently sidelined with an injury. These absences have compounded the challenges facing the offensive line, placing greater pressure on the remaining players to step up.
Impending Preseason Finale
The Steelers' preseason concludes with a showdown against the Detroit Lions. As this crucial game approaches, Tomlin will closely scrutinize the offensive line's performance. It's clear from his statements that improvements are non-negotiable. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," Tomlin emphasized.
He continued, "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."
With these challenges looming large, the spotlight will be on the Steelers' coaching staff to implement the necessary adjustments. The outcome of the final preseason game will likely influence key decisions, including which quarterback will start. As the team prepares to face the Lions, the performance of the offensive line remains a critical focal point for Tomlin and his staff.