With only days remaining until the Pittsburgh Steelers' final preseason game, the spotlight is firmly on the team's offense. However, despite the microscope, concern about their performance seems notably absent within the organization.
Russell Wilson, fresh off his debut in black and gold, has been central to the discussion. "We’re playing. We're all playing. I'm excited to get back onto the field," Wilson shared about his participation in Saturday's preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. "I think the big thing for us is just executing, making our plays and doing our thing." Wilson’s confidence and excitement indicate a team eager to put their preseason struggles behind them.
The Steelers’ first-team offense will take the field for the third consecutive game on Saturday, yet they have yet to reach the end zone in their preseason outings. Last week's clash against the Buffalo Bills saw Wilson leading five drives, all of which ended unsuccessfully. The shuffling of various offensive line combinations has contributed significantly to this inconsistency.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has downplayed concerns, attributing the team's struggles to preseason experimentation and a conservative approach. Wilson echoed this sentiment, stating, "Someone asked if we're concerned [about the offense]. Absolutely not because of the level of practices we’ve had against one of the best defenses and how we've shown up there." His words underscore a belief that the real measure of their potential hasn't been seen yet.
Indeed, the offense has been plagued by self-inflicted wounds, something that Smith and the coaching staff are keenly aware of. Saturday’s game against the Lions is more than just a final preseason matchup; it’s an opportunity for the offense to put something positive on tape and build momentum heading into their regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
The importance of putting together a solid performance against the Lions isn't lost among the players. Pat Freiermuth, one of Wilson's key targets, highlighted the team's internal discussions: "We talked about it as an offense, finishing off this last game with a bang and executing so we don’t go into Atlanta second guessing ourselves. We want that good taste in our mouths." The determination and focus within the Steelers’ locker room are palpable.
As the team prepares to take Pittsburgh by storm, all eyes will be on how the first-team offense performs against the Lions. The coaches and players understand the necessity of addressing their preseason issues and using this final game as a springboard to affirm their readiness for the regular season.
Ultimately, while preseason games serve as practice and evaluation, the Steelers are keenly aware of the psychological impact a strong performance can have. Whether Wilson and his offensive cohorts can rise to the occasion on Saturday may very well dictate the tone and tenor of their early season narrative.