As the Pittsburgh Steelers push through their preseason schedule, issues within their offense have surfaced, becoming a significant concern for the team. Through two preseason games, the offense has only managed to put 15 points on the board.
The challenges were on full display during Saturday night’s 9-3 loss. A notable statistic from these matchups is that only three of those 15 points came with Justin Fields under center. The persistent lack of pass protection has severely stymied Fields' ability to establish any form of offensive consistency.
Pass Protection Woes
The struggles in providing adequate protection became evident quickly. Over five series against the Buffalo Bills, Russell Wilson couldn't orchestrate a single scoring drive and faced three sacks. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has highlighted the impact of these deficiencies, specifically noting, "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."
Tomlin pointed out that in the first three possessions, the team went three and out repeatedly. "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." This cycle of quick possessions hindered any chance of developing a flow in their play.
Personnel Challenges
The offensive line's struggles are compounded by injuries to key players. Greg Rousseau of the Bills took advantage of Broderick Jones' inexperience at right tackle, leading to Fields being sacked once. Beyond that, veteran center/guard Nate Herbig's potential season-ending torn rotator and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu's current injury have added to the team’s challenges.
Tomlin has been forthright about the critical need for improvement in pass protection. He stated, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general. 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."
Looking Ahead to Preseason Finale
As the preseason culminates with a game against the Detroit Lions, Tomlin will be scrutinizing the offensive line’s performance. This evaluation will play a pivotal role in determining which quarterback will take the field for their final opportunity to fine-tune before the regular season begins.
The Steelers' performance thus far underscores the importance of solid pass protection, not just as a means to protect their quarterback but as a fundamental necessity for establishing an effective and cohesive offensive strategy. Tomlin's focus is clear: improvements are not just desired but essential if the Steelers are to assert themselves as a competitive force this season.