Arthur Smith transplanted his Atlanta offense and moved it up north to Pittsburgh. Transforming a Steelers’ offense that was wide receiver dominant for a decade under a prime Ben Roethlisberger has reverted to Roethlisberger’s early days. Run the ball with tight ends galore.
There’s a reason Pittsburgh has so many of them—five, to be exact: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt, and Rodney Williams. Injury has had a minor influence. Pruitt missing a month allowed Williams to secure a hat and play on special teams, but all five have dressed even after Pruitt’s return.
To put that in perspective, the Steelers have dressed more tight ends (five) than cornerbacks (four) in the last two weeks, a roster construction that feels straight out of 1971, not 2024.