Arthur Smith’s intention to be physical and play power football is part of his DNA and on display during the early portions of training camp.
But he has received an unexpected extended look at a player whom he concedes brings a “different element” to his offense.
With the Steelers being cautious about the calf injury sustained by Russell Wilson on the opening day of training camp, Smith has been able to take a long look at quarterback Justin Fields with the first-team offense.
He has asked him to be aggressive with his throws and attack downfield, but it has been hard to ignore the speed and running ability that allowed Fields to run for 2,220 yards his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Smith hinted that Fields’ skill set is something that could find its way from time to time into the Steelers offense, even if he is the backup quarterback as planned.
“He’s a dangerous football player with the ball in his hands,” Smith said on Thursday at Saint Vincent College. “It allows you to get creative. Maybe you change up a little bit of a defensive game plan for him. Certainly he adds a different element.”
Smith is the third offensive coordinator in four years for Fields, so he is getting accustomed to learning a new offense while trying to forget some of the bad habits that enveloped him in Chicago.
Smith said he is putting Fields to the test by having him be aggressive in practice, asking him to make plays down the field or rolling out of the pocket. Fields has shown that and more on several occasions, especially with some deep throws to George Pickens and Van Jefferson.
“You’re changing language on guys — especially a young player, he’s been in a couple systems now,” Smith said. “So we’re working through all that. But I’ve seen him, he’s really operating the offense.
“There’s a lot of things we can play to his strengths, and that’s exciting. Sometimes were asking him to be aggressive, even in 7-on-7. You have to try to in practice. Nobody wants to see negative plays or if he just checks down. We got to see what he can really do and what he can see in the pocket and all that stuff. Him having more reps is accelerating that process.”
Eyes on tight ends
Before he became the coordinator in Tennessee, Smith was the tight ends coach for the Titans. He was so highly regarded that four different head coaches, starting when he was hired by Mike Munchak, retained him on their staff when the previous one was fired. He was eventually promoted to coordinator in 2019, when Mike Vrabel was the head coach.
While much attention is paid to what Smith can do for the running game, his specialty is tight ends. And that has been evident at training camp, where Pat Freiermuth has been heavily involved in the pass game and Darnell Washington has been used more frequently as a receiving target.
And then there’s Connor Heyward, who, as a hybrid, just continues to make catches no matter where the ball is thrown.
“We’re just finding out what their strengths are and how it fits the overall scheme,” Smith said. “But it’s been fun, and when you can play with multiple tight ends, guys that can do a lot, especially in those early downs, it’s been a good camp for those guys.”
The key could be Washington, the massive second-year player who was drafted in the fourth round last season. The Steelers already know what he can do as an in-line blocker, but they have spent the early days of camp using him in pass routes.
Washington was targeted just 10 times in 2023, catching seven passes for 61 yards. But, after struggling with knee issues, the coaches have noticed how he is moving much better in training camp, giving hope that he might be able to provide more of a productive — if not dangerous — tandem with Freiermuth.
“You can see his execution of everything, what he’s being asked to do, he feels more comfortable,” Freiermuth said. “He’s moving a lot better. He looks good right now.”
The tight end can make a big difference in an offense that does not have a bevy of wide receivers. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots offense relied on two tight ends — Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez — when they had only one wide receiver threat (Wes Welker) in 2011. Gronkowski and Hernandez combined for an NFL-record 169 catches and 2,237 yards and 24 touchdowns that season.
Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs won another Super Bowl even though they had only one wide receiver with more than 30 catches (rookie Rashee Rice). But that’s because they rely so heavily on tight end Travis Kelce.
“We need everybody involved,” Smith said. “Naturally, there’s going to be tendencies. That’s what you’re constantly looking at. We need everybody involved to make us a more lethal offense.”
Then he added: “Some weeks you may be more wide open. It just depends on the matchup. So it goes week to week, and that’s what we’re working on right now. But it certainly gives you an advantage. You got guys that play multiple spots, change formations week in or week out or series.”
Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and @gerrydulac on X
First Published: August 1, 2024, 8:15 p.m.
Updated: August 2, 2024, 3:00 a.m.
