The Steelers are certainly spreading the ball around on offense this season, and OC Arthur Smith acknowledged that is an advantage. So far this season, six players have at least 10 catches, for example, and that could soon be eight. Even more remarkable, they already have eight different players with a touchdown catch—with no oddities like Spencer Anderson. What does it do to a defense that has to account for every eligible on every play?
“It’s a credit to those guys and breaking down teams about who is targeted and red zone or third down, like critical situations. You make them hopefully have to defend everybody. Everybody is live on every play”, Smith said, via the Steelers’ media relations department, about the offense. “Sometimes some offenses it’s like what I call ’90s basketball, isolation, and that works for some people.
“I think with our guys we got a lot of guys with different skill sets and play multiple spots. It helps. We just got to continue to keep building off that. But it’s a credit to those guys”.
Of all people, WR Ben Skowronek scored the Steelers’ first touchdown of the season. Granted, he hasn’t caught a pass since then. Connor Heyward also has just two catches, but one is a touchdown—and he’s also the “Tush Push” quarterback.
Of course, WR DK Metcalf dominates the Steelers’ targets on offense. His 36 targets are 50 percent more than anybody else with RB Kenneth Gainwell second. Metcalf is also the only player over 200 yards, sitting at 406. But they are getting a little help from all of their friends.
After a month of dormancy, Pat Freiermuth broke out with a big game last week, catching five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Jonnu Smith also has two scores. With Calvin Austin III returning, the Steelers could add another volume target on offense. Not dramatic volume but still someone who might see five passes in a game.
But the fact that they’re willing to throw to Heyward or any of their tight ends or running backs means defenses have to stay on top of everyone the Steelers put on offense. They used that to great effect against the Browns, who didn’t respect Darnell Washington, for example. Against Cleveland, he caught three passes for 62 yards, a career high.
And it also helps to have QB Aaron Rodgers, who is always willing to distribute the ball. Throughout the offseason, we have heard players talk about his clear communication in that regard. He has told them to always be ready, and that there are “no dead routes”.
Because, of course, every player has to be ready in order for this to work. We saw what happens when it doesn’t. Remember that game against the Browns? Time and again, Cleveland’s skill players didn’t seem ready for the ball. One went off a player’s helmet near the goal line. It’s human nature to play differently when you truly believe you might see the ball. Right now, that’s what the Steelers have going on offense, thanks to Arthur Smith and Aaron Rodgers.
