Steelers Did Something in 2024 That They Haven’t Done Since the 1960s
To say the least, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense left a lot to be desired in 2024. After a promising start with Russell Wilson at quarterback, it all came to a crashing halt in the final five games. 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. The Steelers went 1-13 that season.
In addition, for the first time since 1988, the Steelers lost three consecutive games by at least 14 points (losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs from Week 15-17). They were out-scored 90-40 during that stretch. The Steelers went 5-11 in 1988, the worst season for the franchise since the dreaded 1969 season.
The defense certainly undperformed down the stretch, but the offense set all kind of dismal records in 2024, as the unit failed to record an opening drive touchdown in 18 games (including postseason).
So where do the Steelers go from here on the offensive side of the ball? It appears offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will be back, as the Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson to be their next head coach and the odds are not good with the New York Jets. Smith interviewed for both positions.
Quarterback Russell Wilson’s status to return seems up in the air. Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason.
A report by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated last week said the team grew frustrated with Wilson down the stretch run, but would love to keep working with Justin Fields, who started the first six games of the season while Wilson was hurt.
The Steelers finished the 2024 season ranked 11th in rushing offense, averaging 127.4 yards per game, but they were fourth in rushing attempts (533). It was just a lot of volume, but the production wasn’t there, only averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The Steelers ranked 29th this season in EPA. The run game was supposed to be Arthur Smith’s specialty, but it never blossomed. The play-action game also wasn’t where it needed to be. The Steelers’ success rate using play-action was actually worse than last year.
While Wilson has received a lot of flak for the team’s five-game losing streak to end the season, former All-Pro NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall points the finger at offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. He thinks Smith set Wilson up to fail with poor play-calling and personnel.
It was reported last week by Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show that Smith and Wilson had an unhappy working relationship during the 2024 season.
“This is what I would say. I would’ve love to seen Russell Wilson go rogue. When he goes up-tempo, when he calls the game, that dude’s stats are crazy,” Marshall said on the I Am Athlete podcast. “And don’t have me look them up because I already got ’em. I’m loaded. That’s how l’d hold him accountable. We ain’t got time to play with these people. Legacy is on the line, careers are on the line. This dude got you in three tight end packages. I want to see Russ throw.”
Coupled with Smith’s poor play-calling, Marshall also thinks Pickens’ hamstring injury that caused him to miss three games hindered Wilson’s production.
“They lose the last four games. Pickens went down. His guy who opened the whole offense, he went [down].”
RELATED: Former All-Pro NFL WR Rips Steelers OC Arthur Smith: ‘This Dude Got You in Three Tight End Packages’