'Preseason Can Distort Reality!' Steelers' Arthur Smith Unhappy with Offensive Effort

The newly retooled Pittsburgh Steelers offense from Arthur Smith was supposed to be more dynamic than last season behind quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Through two preseason games, the unit has yet to record a touchdown.

And it's causing some concerns internally.

Smith knows there are still issues with the offense, and he didn't hold back when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

“Preseason can distort reality, good or bad,” Smith said, via Bryan DeArdo of CBSSports.com . “We’ve all seen it. That’s not making excuses. . . . That’s not our standard. That’s not acceptable, but at the same time, would rather go through that now than have that happen Week One. . . . We’ve got to get out of our own way.”

Last preseason, the offense saw great success, but that didn't translate to the regular season, where the offense was stagnant and unproductive to the point that then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired in November.

The plan wasn't to repeat 2023's struggles but to improve. And that's why Smith was brought in, and why the entire quarterback room was turned over this offseason . But so far, the results are the same.

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The preseason scores don't matter, but effort does. If Smith is already seeing issues with effort or understanding of assignments, then that's an entirely different problem. Smith's scheme and offensive objectives should change in the regular season anyway, but if some players are having problems now, they could become bigger beginning in September.

And that's something to pay attention to.