Longtime Steelers Fan Stephen A. Smith Isn't Happy With What He Sees

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new coaching staff, but longtime fan Stephen A. Smith sees the same old same old. Fretting over an offense that looked no better under Mike McCarthy in Week 1 than it did Mike Tomlin, Smith expressed his angst Thursday on First Take.

“As a Steelers fan, I have an obligation to inform you that I am one, and I have nothing to be a fan about,” Smith told the panel. “I am not impressed with this offense at all.”

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Pittsburgh finished the game with just 13 offensive points and two touchdowns, one of which came on defense thanks to T.J. Watt’s fourth-quarter heroics. The running game struggled to gain traction and while the passing game took more chances compared to a year ago, Aaron Rodgers had trouble converting them. Drops cost them more points than any other offense. The offense once went six-straight drives without points and over half its possessions ended in five or fewer plays. 

Winning in the NFL is hard but Smith doesn’t think Pittsburgh earned a victory with enough style.

“Cooper Rush learns about 48 hours before the game, he’s gonna be your starting quarterback,” Smith said. “And still almost won the game. They only won 20 to 13.”

The Steelers entered the game as heavy favorites. They covered the spread, but it was a game too close for comfort. To sustain against more difficult opponents moving forward, the offense must improve. That task starts in Week 2 against a New England Patriots team with a stronger roster and home-field advantage.

Smith was encouraged by Rodgers holding onto the football longer than last season, nearly three seconds on Sunday compared to about 2.5 seconds throughout last year but has more questions than answers.

“Can you be efficient?” he asked. “Can you get it done? Can DK Metcalf get it done for you? Can [Michael] Pittman get it done for you?”

Pittsburgh can answer those questions with a much better showing against New England. The Steelers nearly made big plays against Atlanta. But the line between a big play and big miss is thin and the Steelers must show they can do better than “almost” to satisfy fans like Smith.