Steelers Shake-Up: New OC Arthur Smith Reshapes Quarterback Landscape
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason took a sharp turn with the appointment of Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. While the full impact of this move remains to be seen, one thing is clear: the quarterback position, specifically the fates of Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett, faces a significant shake-up.
Last season, with Kenny Pickett sidelined by injury, Mason Rudolph stepped in and surprisingly outperformed Mitch Trubisky.
This sparked discussions about potentially re-signing Rudolph despite Pickett being the presumed starter. However, Smith’s arrival throws a curveball into those plans.
Throughout his coaching career, Smith has built his offensive schemes around a near-exclusive zone system, where mobile quarterbacks play a crucial role in expanding the rushing attack.
From Ryan Tannehill to Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder, Smith has consistently favored quarterbacks who can both throw and run effectively.
This spells potential trouble for Mason Rudolph. While he brings valuable experience and leadership, his athleticism doesn’t align with Smith’s preferred quarterback profile.
He’s more reminiscent of Ben Roethlisberger’s later, pocket-passing years than his early, scrambling days.
In stark contrast, Smith’s arrival could be a game-changer for Kenny Pickett. Many felt Pickett didn’t fully utilize his athleticism during his rookie season.
But Smith’s zone-heavy system could unlock his hidden potential, allowing him to become the dual-threat quarterback Smith thrives on.
With Smith at the helm, the Steelers offense is taking a bold new direction. While Rudolph’s future seems increasingly uncertain, Pickett has the opportunity to truly shine under Smith’s guidance.
This shift in offensive philosophy promises an exciting new chapter for the Steelers, and all eyes will be on how both quarterbacks adapt to the changing landscape.
The NFL offseason is full of twists and turns, and the Steelers’ quarterback situation is no exception.
With Arthur Smith’s arrival, the competition for the starting job intensifies, and Kenny Pickett might just have the tools he needs to take the reins and lead the Steelers into a new era.