The Minnesota Vikings are “out” on Aaron Rodgers which apparently leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers as his only suitor remaining. If it isn’t him then I guess Russell Wilson comes back? But wait, didn’t he and Arthur Smith have a falling out over the final five to six weeks of the season? Which brings me to my point. For all the talk about who is going to be the signal-caller, shouldn’t we be discussing Arthur Smith just as much?
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported that following the 44-point outburst in Cincinnati, Smith wasn’t thrilled with Russell Wilson having so much autonomy over the offense at the line of scrimmage. Therefore, he took away the veteran QB’s ability to change things over the ball.
In fairness to Smith, the defenses that Wilson and company played in those final five games were significantly better than what they had seen previously. Maybe the real proof was the fact that the Steelers didn’t muster anything at home against the Bengals until late in the game.
So as we all wait for Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or (insert your favorite free agent QB here) to be signed, the real issue with this offense shouldn’t be all about the quarterback. Arthur Smith wanted to run the ball and he wanted to run the ball even when the team was struggling to do so.
His inability – and to a degree Mike Tomlin’s as well – to adjust and let Russell Wilson do what he was doing well is not a good look for Smith. It makes me question just what the entire goal is for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Is it to run the ball and allow the highest-paid defense in pro football to rest? Or is it to win football games regardless of the score or how the game might be won?
Whoever plays quarterback for the Steelers better realize what they’re getting themselves into.
