Steelers Are Gambling Everything On Arthur Smith’s Vision And It’s A Wise Bet

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense suffered a significant decline under Matt Canada's leadership, ranking among the league's worst in several major categories. Canada's approach was criticized for its stagnation, predictability, and inability to sustain drives, prompting the rare midseason decision to dismiss him.

Following the season, the Steelers brought in former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith to revamp their offense. Despite a lukewarm record with the Falcons, Smith garnered acclaim for his prior success as an offensive coordinator. Now, he aims to rejuvenate his coaching career as the Steelers' offensive coordinator, tasked with resolving their offensive struggles heading into the 2024 season.

On Monday's episode of the PFF NFL Show, Mike Renner praised the Steelers' commitment to Smith's vision, emphasizing their full trust in him. Renner's assessment reflects the Steelers' optimism as they look to reshape their team, a sentiment echoed in their strategic approach to the 2024 NFL Draft. Renner believes that the way the Steelers drafted shows how much faith they have in Smith. 

"I really liked the Steelers draft… If you're gonna buy into your OC, and that's obviously what they did in this draft. They went all in on Arthur Smith's vision. I don't think they could have had really a better draft. And now they're in a uniquely situated and a great draft to do it, right? The great draft that loaded up on offensive lineman.”

Renner emphasized that the Steelers left no stone unturned in implementing Smith's offensive scheme for the upcoming 2024 season via the draft. He also highlighted the selection of guard Mason McCormick as a steal, noting that he was one of his top choices among developmental guards in the class.

"But man, what they did the first two rounds, getting a starting left tackle and a starting center who both are like perfect scheme fits for how they can move, Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier for the offensive line. And then even further down the board, Mason McCormick I like a lot too, he was like my favorite developmental guard in this draft class."

The Steelers kicked off the draft with a bang, securing Troy Fautanu at an impressive value with the 20th overall pick. Their success continued into the second round, where they landed the center they coveted, Zach Frazier, without sacrificing any draft capital.

Addressing the offensive line was a top priority for the Steelers, aligning with Smith's emphasis on a play-action game and a robust ground attack. With solid running backs in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, investing heavily in the offensive line reflects the Steelers' commitment to Smith's offensive strategy, betting big on the success of the 2024 season.

Steelers’ Arthur Smith Has A Lot Of Pressure On His Shoulders In 2024

The pressure mounts with each passing season for the Steelers, as the weight of their playoff drought since the 2016 season grows heavier. The once-proud franchise, accustomed to postseason success, now finds itself in a state of disillusionment, with fans yearning for a return to prominence.

Enter Smith, the new architect of the Steelers' offense. With his arrival comes a renewed sense of optimism, fueled by his reputation as an offensive mastermind. Smith's track record as a coordinator, albeit with mixed results as a head coach with the Falcons, inspires confidence that he can breathe life into the stagnant Steelers offense.

Accompanying Smith's appointment are a slew of new faces, brought in through a series of promising offseason moves. From draft selections to free-agent acquisitions, each addition carries with it the hope of revitalizing a team in need of rejuvenation. The Steelers have invested heavily in Smith's vision, signaling a collective belief that he holds the key to unlocking their potential.

With great expectations comes great pressure, and the spotlight shines brightly on Smith to deliver results. The success of the Steelers' 2024 campaign hinges largely on his ability to transform the offense into a dynamic, high-scoring unit capable of competing at the highest level. The burden of reclaiming glory falls squarely on his shoulders, as the Steelers faithful eagerly await a return to the days of Super Bowl contention.