What Do You Think the Arthur Smith Offense Will Look Like?

[Mojouw]

I have to say that I am at a loss to answer this question.

I have read/heard supposedly clever football people indicate that what Smith likes in his scheme(s) are outside zone running from condensed/heavy formations paired with play-action or in-breaking passing attacking between the hashes at medium distances.

For me that raises several confusing questions....such as:

1. Steelers RBs and OL seem to suck at outside zone. They have tried it for portions of the last few years and almost always went back to what I keep hearing called "power" or "duo" with things seemingly focused on getting a RB behind a guard mauling someone at the second level in the middle of the field. So is Smith going to change what he likes to run or is he going to be able to change what the Steelers are "good" at doing by being a better teacher than Canada?

2. I have no idea what Atlanta was doing in the passing game. But in Tennessee, Smith seemed to like to attack the middle and do it fairly quickly. Wilson seems to much prefer attacking along the boundary and on longer developing plays either by design or through going off-script and extending the play. It was always my understanding that is why Seattle got him Metcalf to pair with Lockett. Power and speed to attack teams vertically and outside the numbers. We know Pickens can do that....but after that....

3. Is Smith willing/planning on making any modifications to "his stuff" to suit the available personnel? I honestly thought this would be kind of how it shook out....especially after the Wilson signing. But the signing of Patterson, Pruitt, and Van Jefferson really seems like they got the WR, TE, and RB rooms all guys well versed in Smith's current/existing play style. That indicates to me that Smith isn't planning on rolling out some big shift or anything. So how does that look in light of the two previous thoughts?

I dunno. Things I think I might think if I were to think things about the Steelers 2024 offense.

[Dwinsgames]

Patterson was brought in IMO for a few reasons (as I stated in his thread) Great returner (or was) and he knows the system from the RB room and WR room perspective so he will have the ability to help teach the system .....

Pruitt gives that same teaching ability to the TE room so now you have covered all the skill positions on the offensive side of the ball with an extra coach so to speak to aid the system going in and more widely understood at a quicker pace ....

I also see us likely going with just 5 wr instead of 6 ( as his system rarely uses 4 at a time) and likely that extra open WR slop will go to the TE room and we will carry 4 instead of 3 as I believe he is comfortable in 12 personnel and 21 personnel we likely see quite a bit of Warren and Najee on the field at the same time but that is me dreaming perhaps

[oneforthetoe]

For starters I'll happy if it operates like an NFL offense, with the ability to make adjustments to what the defense is doing.

From there we will see.

[86WARD]

I’m pretty sure they have most of what they need to run whatever offense Smith is looking to run. It would be beyond stupid to bring him in and try to run things that the team is incapable of after just going through that. It’s a good group of questions but I’m not sure we will see offenses that he’s run in the past.

[polamalubeast]

One thing is sure,the Steelers need another very good receiver big time(trade or by the draft), otherwise the opposing defenses will put 2-3 players on Pickens in each passing down and the other Steelers receivers will be unable to make the opposing defenses pay the price for that if the Steelers don't add another receiver quality and it will be ugly in so many levels

[Steeler-in-west]

They should modify it to take advantage of Wilson’s strengths. Fields might be a better fit for smith’s offense if he can learn to hang in pocket better and read zone coverages. So we end up with a stronger armed no gloves version of KP? Lol

[Dwinsgames]

They should modify it to take advantage of Wilson’s strengths. Fields might be a better fit for smith’s offense if he can learn to hang in pocket better and read zone coverages. So we end up with a stronger armed no gloves version of KP? Lol

KP couldn't carry either of these current QB jocks , he doesn't have the same level of talent and his hands aren't big enough to carry them

[Steeler-in-west]

KP couldn't carry either of these current QB jocks , he doesn't have the same level of talent and his hands aren't big enough to carry them

fields may have more physical talent but they both have to learn to learn to read defenses. Wilson is on his way out. Best guy that potentially fits in Smiths offense of the three might be fields.

[Mojouw]

I’m pretty sure they have most of what they need to run whatever offense Smith is looking to run. It would be beyond stupid to bring him in and try to run things that the team is incapable of after just going through that. It’s a good group of questions but I’m not sure we will see offenses that he’s run in the past.

The last few years of eroded my faith in this team to not try beyond stupid on for size.

I mean they convinced themselves that Trubisky was the answer to something or other. That’s like those cartoons where someone repeatedly steps on rakes.

[Mojouw]

One thing is sure,the Steelers need another very good receiver big time(trade or by the draft), otherwise the opposing defenses will put 2-3 players on Pickens in each passing down and the other Steelers receivers will be unable to make the opposing defenses pay the price for that if the Steelers don't add another receiver quality and it will be ugly in so many levels

Personally, I do not disagree.

But depending on your thoughts on Corey Davis, Arthur Smith may really not agree with you. One could argue that you had AJ Brown and some dudes in Tennessee. Although their TE was decent.

I really think Smith would prefer to not even play a WR if he thought he could get away with it.

[Born2Steel]

I have to say that I am at a loss to answer this question.

I have read/heard supposedly clever football people indicate that what Smith likes in his scheme(s) are outside zone running from condensed/heavy formations paired with play-action or in-breaking passing attacking between the hashes at medium distances.

For me that raises several confusing questions....such as:

1. Steelers RBs and OL seem to suck at outside zone. They have tried it for portions of the last few years and almost always went back to what I keep hearing called "power" or "duo" with things seemingly focused on getting a RB behind a guard mauling someone at the second level in the middle of the field. So is Smith going to change what he likes to run or is he going to be able to change what the Steelers are "good" at doing by being a better teacher than Canada?

2. I have no idea what Atlanta was doing in the passing game. But in Tennessee, Smith seemed to like to attack the middle and do it fairly quickly. Wilson seems to much prefer attacking along the boundary and on longer developing plays either by design or through going off-script and extending the play. It was always my understanding that is why Seattle got him Metcalf to pair with Lockett. Power and speed to attack teams vertically and outside the numbers. We know Pickens can do that....but after that....

3. Is Smith willing/planning on making any modifications to "his stuff" to suit the available personnel? I honestly thought this would be kind of how it shook out....especially after the Wilson signing. But the signing of Patterson, Pruitt, and Van Jefferson really seems like they got the WR, TE, and RB rooms all guys well versed in Smith's current/existing play style. That indicates to me that Smith isn't planning on rolling out some big shift or anything. So how does that look in light of the two previous thoughts?

I dunno. Things I think I might think if I were to think things about the Steelers 2024 offense.

I expect to see 2TEs mostly. I expect instead of the motions just to motion we have become accustom to seeing, we will see different plays running out of the same or very similar motions and personnel groups. Under Canada we would know the play coming by who went into motion or by how we lined up, or even by just who checked into the huddle. If we knew, so did the other team. There was a video a little while back showing how Smith runs different plays from the same look and with the same personnel.

I 'think' the offense is going to see more of Heyward and Pruitt in at the same time. Freiermuth, I expect to get the Jimmy Graham treatment and be used mostly as a receiver. I'm not sure where MtWashington fits, guess we'll see.

As for the WR room, I don't know if we add via draft, or go with who we currently have.

[Mojouw]

The original article: https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.co...team-nfl-2024/
And the Steelers Depot summary and linking with some of their own previous stuff: https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/sh...no-in-between/

The part that has been making me worry that Wilson and Smith are going to get on like oil and water:

• "Wilson wants to extend plays and push the ball downfield by nature. He is a big game hunter, which current NFL defensive approaches across the league have calibrated to prevent."
• "He lives by the mantra of shooting a three-pointer or taking a layup."
• "Last year, Wilson threw the ball at or behind the line of scrimmage on 30.2% of his throws (second in the league) and deep on 14.5% (third)."
• "No quarterback in the league threw the ball at the intermediate level at a lower rate (11.0%) than Wilson did."

Luckily, the only QB in the entire league with a similar profile as Wilson was/is Justin Fields. So there's that.


Smith has called offenses where the QB targets the intermediate middle of the field 12-15% of the time. Last season, Wilson did that under 6% of the time.

This is going to be wild to watch play out. One of these guys is going to have to dramatically alter the way they see and think about football.

[DesertSteel]

Luckily Sean Payton is our OC next year. He strikes me as another Belichick in that his ego has become too big for the game.

[tube517]

Jaylen explains some early impressions of the new QBs and the new OC

[86WARD]

All good news but would be shocked if they said anything different…lol.

“They are nice veterans but Mitch and Kenny brought so much more to the table.”

[Mojouw]

All good news but would be shocked if they said anything different…lol.

“They are nice veterans but Mitch and Kenny brought so much more to the table.”

There were glowing reports of Mitch's leadership and team building in his first off-season. At least prior to Haskins getting killed by a dump-truck.

There were glowing reports of KP's leadership and savvy prior to last off-season as well.

[Edman]

Everyone is a "great leader" and a "great locker room presence" in the sun shining days of Spring whilst in shorts.

Let's see how things fare when its October in the 40's, Third Down and long, the team is struggling and needs a play in that moment.

[pczach]

There were glowing reports of Mitch's leadership and team building in his first off-season. At least prior to Haskins getting killed by a dump-truck.

There were glowing reports of KP's leadership and savvy prior to last off-season as well.

Remember when I told everyone about Canada not working directly with the quarterbacks and why it was so important that he spend time with them directly? How the hell were the quarterbacks going to show the players how to run the routes correctly within Canada's offense and explain the subtleties of route running when they weren't coached it themselves?

Oh Canada.......

Veteran quarterbacks know how routes should be run to help the plays work. It comes with experience. Kenny Pickett didn't have any experience outside of Canada's system and the way he did things.

[Mojouw]

Remember when I told everyone about Canada not working directly with the quarterbacks and why it was so important that he spend time with them directly? How the hell were the quarterbacks going to show the players how to run the routes correctly within Canada's offense and explain the subtleties of route running when they weren't coached it themselves?

Oh Canada.......

Veteran quarterbacks know how routes should be run to help the plays work. It comes with experience. Kenny Pickett didn't have any experience outside of Canada's system and the way he did things.

I don’t doubt that.

Just pointing out that EVERYONE is a great leader in April.

[pczach]

I don’t doubt that.

Just pointing out that EVERYONE is a great leader in April.

I'm not debating that at all. The team is going to say glowing things about anyone.

I'm simply commenting on the debacle.

[ALLD]

This will be the best offense since the late days of Big Ben. If the coaches can keep the team focused and get off to a quick start they should earn respect even if they don't win #7. I stopped watching live games a few years ago because of all the politics, but this team is a much needed new direction. The Pirates should hire Omar Khan as a consultant.

[Steeler-in-west]

Yeah, if Smith turns out to be at least as good as Haley - production wise - minus the difficult character ill take it

Regarding Qb’s, i wonder what they said about Terry when he was starting out, i’ll bet they were less political or PC in their answers back then - i cant see Greene or Andy Russell giving exaggerated comments.

[polamalubeast]

One thing is sure,don't expect too much 3 WR on the field under Smith....The falcons were at 18% last year,by far the least in the NFL last year

[vasteeler]

One thing is sure,don't expect too much 3 WR on the field under Smith....The falcons were at 18% last year,by far the least in the NFL last year

Thank goodness because I'm not yet seeing three good WR on our team.

[Born2Steel]

We have an offense full of pass catchers. We have some that aren’t good blockers so make less sense in Smith’s offense. CA3 may be willing to block and may have excellent technique, but being fun-sized just doesn’t work. PF looks lost on most plays when he’s supposed to be zone blocking. But both of these guys are very good pass catchers.

I really don’t know how Patterson will be used outside of KR. He’s listed as a RB.

The FB/TE competition is going to be fierce in TC. I think getting the right guys here will determine how well this offense runs as designed. Same formation, different plays, slows down defenses.

[Mojouw]

One thing is sure,don't expect too much 3 WR on the field under Smith....The falcons were at 18% last year,by far the least in the NFL last year

This is also why I do not think some blockbuster trade for a WR is going to happen. The passing game is going to be Pickens, PF, and Jaylen Warren focused. With the major role of the second WR to block. He spent years with Corey Davis as his #2. That big dude crashed out of the league after Smith left.

[tube517]

This is also why I do not think some blockbuster trade for a WR is going to happen. The passing game is going to be Pickens, PF, and Jaylen Warren focused. With the major role of the second WR to block. He spent years with Corey Davis as his #2. That big dude crashed out of the league after Smith left.

A trade for WR likely is still a goal but they have their limits in what they want to give up. I think they think they can go with this WR group but they have so many unknowns except Pickens. So Steelers nation is cautious and impatient.

Roman W can block but I can see him in the Hines role of getting first downs. Austin 3 is only in his 2nd year due to injury.He needs to make that 2nd year leap. Too many ifs.

Hopefully Roman can be Puka esque this season. The Titans scored 400+ points in 2020 with King Henry and a rejuvenated Tannehill throwing 33 TDs. I did not realize how much offense they put up under Smith

Sent from my Lenovo TB-X606F using Tapatalk

[polamalubeast]

A trade for WR likely is still a goal but they have their limits in what they want to give up. I think they think they can go with this WR group but they have so many unknowns except Pickens. So Steelers nation is cautious and impatient.

Roman W can block but I can see him in the Hines role of getting first downs. Austin 3 is only in his 2nd year due to injury.He needs to make that 2nd year leap. Too many ifs.

Hopefully Roman can be Puka esque this season. The Titans scored 400+ points in 2020 with King Henry and a rejuvenated Tannehill throwing 33 TDs. I did not realize how much offense they put up under Smith

Sent from my Lenovo TB-X606F using Tapatalk

The titans offense also put up like 30 PPG in the final 10 games in 2019 with Tannehill as QB.....Mojouw is right for the offense....The second WR need to be good but don't need to be a star in this offense....Need to do the dirty work,be ready when you need to catch the ball in a important 3rd down and accept your role even if you don't have 10 targets per game....One of the reason why Johnson had been traded in this offseason

[polamalubeast]

And very interressing that Corey Davis was very good in this offense back in 2020....Almost 1000 yards(984 yards) on only 92 targets,2 below average season with the Jets after that(of course,the jets offense were a huge part of his 2 down years)and out of the year for some reason last year

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...D/DaviCo03.htm

[Shoes]

I'd be happy with Tyler Boyd. I think he wants a multiyear deal and has or is visiting the chargers and titans. I believe the Steelers only want to do a one year deal. Maybe if the bottom drops out on the chargers/titans, khan will get his wish.