Big Ben Backs Russell Wilson over Friction with Arthur Smith Last Season
In February, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith did not want Russell Wilson changing plays at the line of scrimmage despite the QB’s big game in the Week 13 win over Cincinnati. The Steelers scored a season-high 44 points against the Bengals and Wilson posted an impressive 414 yards passing to go along with three touchdown passes.
Wilson’s desire to attack with the pass and throw down the field clashed with Smith’s run-first mentality, caused philosophical friction between the two, according to Dulac.
The Steelers failed to score more than 17 points during the five-game losing streak to end the season, a streak that hasn’t occurred since Chuck Noll’s first season in 1969. Wilson also struggled immensely during the late-season collapse.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger confirmed on his latest Footbahlin podcast with Pat McAfee that Smith was not fond of Wilson changing play at the line of scrimmage.
“Arthur Smith has to understand he has to let the quarterback have some rein,” Roethlisberger said. “I was told he really pulled the reins back on Russ. In the two-minute drill, wouldn’t let Russ call his own plays. You have to let a quarterback do that stuff.”
McAfee was shocked that Smith wasn’t flexible with a veteran like Wilson.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that in the NFL. With a Super Bowl champion. It’s unique,” McAfee told Roethlisberger.
Despite things not working out, Russell Wilson had nothing but good things to say about the Steelers during his introductory press conference with the New York Giants.
“Obviously Pittsburgh was a special place for me,” Wilson said. “Pittsburgh brought me so much love, man. I have so many teammates that I’m super close with. Guys like T.J. (Watt) and Cam (Heyward), Miles Killebrew.”