The Steelers didn’t fairly give Arthur Smith every thing he wanted final yr to run his offense, however maybe he has it now. Even his third-string unit regarded fairly good in final evening’s 31-25 victory, led by QB Skylar Thompson. Thompson was the longest-serving quarterback with Smith on the roster earlier than they signed Logan Woodside. Following final evening’s win, wherein he threw three touchdowns, he credited his offensive coordinator above all else.
“It began with Arthur”, Thompson mentioned of Smith, through the Steelers’ web site. “Simply getting the performs in effectively and having the ability to function. I believed we had an excellent rhythm and tempo out and in of the huddle all day. I believe that begins every thing off. It felt like we received into an excellent rhythm and guys have been simply clicking and have been on the identical web page and guys have been making performs”.
The Steelers employed Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator final yr, thrusting Russell Wilson and Justin Fields upon him. Whereas he reportedly butted heads a bit with Wilson, he evidently appreciated working with Fields. Pittsburgh opted to maneuver on this season, signing Aaron Rodgers, of whom Smith is an excellent larger fan.
Certainly, Smith referred to as Rodgers “the right match” for what he desires to do on offense, even whereas insisting that his offense is a collaborative course of. And to that time, all of his gamers, together with Rodgers and Thompson, have mentioned that as nicely. He’ll make modifications that the gamers recommend the subsequent day, and lets receivers win their routes in manners that swimsuit them.
However the preseason is the preseason for everyone, together with the officers, as CeeDee Lamb came upon. And it’s additionally the preseason for the coaches, for the stadium crew, and for everyone linked to conducting and broadcasting an NFL sport. Arthur Smith had his offense operating very easily, all issues thought-about, and Thompson made a particular notice of that.
“Arthur did an ideal job of calling the sport in the present day. We had plenty of our base stuff in, stuff we’ve been operating for some time, and received the fellows to really feel assured in and guys made performs”, he mentioned of Smith.
What we didn’t see was Arthur Smith working with the first-team offense. Barring the offensive line and WR Roman Wilson, RB Kaleb Johnson. and TE Darnell Washington, we didn’t actually see anyone that we’ll see a lot on Sundays. Rodgers wasn’t on the market, nor have been WRs DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, nor TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. At operating again, Jaylen Warren didn’t play in any respect, and Kenneth Gainwell seemingly hardly performed.
Previous to yesterday’s sport, HC Mike Tomlin hinted that he may maintain Rodgers out for all the preseason. If that’s the case, then we gained’t see the complete Arthur Smith offense till the common season begins. Rodgers has publicly expressed a willingness to play if requested, however maybe he would favor to not. He did undergo all of coaching camp with simply in the future off.
