The Steelers are gearing up for a potent downfield passing attack under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, focusing on deep throws to elevate their aerial game, with George Pickens set to benefit from the strategy.

By the Numbers
  • Ryan Tannehill excelled in downfield passing under Arthur Smith in 2019, ranking high in completion percentage, on-target percentage, and yards per attempt on play-action passes.
  • On play-action plays, Tannehill ranked second in completion percentage and touchdown percentage among all quarterbacks.
  • George Pickens is expected to play a vital role in the Steelers' deep passing game.
Yes, But

The success of the Steelers' deep ball attack hinges on the competency of their quarterbacks like Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, who don't necessarily need to be top 10 quarterbacks but must perform adequately for the offense to thrive.

State of Play
  • The Steelers are shifting their offensive focus to downfield passing, aiming to capitalize on second-and-short situations and exploit opposing defenses.
  • Arthur Smith's past success in enhancing downfield passing provides optimism for the Steelers' offensive evolution.
What's Next

The Steelers are poised to adopt a more aggressive passing strategy, relying heavily on play action and deep shots to create a dynamic aerial attack and potentially rank among the NFL's best in deep passing efficiency.

Bottom Line

With Arthur Smith's influence and a renewed emphasis on downfield passing, the Steelers are primed to transform their offensive approach and emerge as a formidable force in executing deep passing plays in the upcoming season.