Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Former All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall reiterated that he’s not a fan of Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Marshall blasted Smith last month for running three tight end sets and holding Russell Wilson back from his full potential.
“I would like to see Russell Wilson back,” Marshall said on I Am Athlete. “It makes sense. It fits. But not with Arthur Smith, not with the offensive coordinator. That is the problem. Make the tough decision Coach Tomlin. Your problem is not your quarterback, your problem is your offensive coordinator.”
Wilson has received a lot of flak for the team’s five-game losing streak to end the season, but Marshall thinks Arthur Smith set Wilson up to fail with poor play-calling and personnel.
It was reported by Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show that Smith and Wilson had an unhappy working relationship during the 2024 season. Multiple sources also told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Arthur Smith did not want Russell Wilson changing plays at the line of scrimmage despite the QB’s big game against Cincinnati in Week 13.
“This is what I would say. I would’ve love to seen Russell Wilson go rogue. When he goes up-tempo, when he calls the game, that dude’s stats are crazy,” Marshall said. “And don’t have me look them up because I already got ’em. I’m loaded. That’s how l’d hold him accountable. We ain’t got time to play with these people. Legacy is on the line, careers are on the line. This dude got you in three tight end packages. I want to see Russ throw.”
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson at practice for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 1, 2025. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
Coupled with Smith’s poor play-calling, Marshall also thinks Pickens’ hamstring injury that caused him to miss three games hindered Wilson’s production.
Perhaps it was play-calling, but one thing is clear, Wilson left a lot to be desired at the end of the season. In the final four regular season games, Wilson had an 81.3 passer rating, with four touchdowns compared to two interceptions and two fumbles lost. He was also sacked 14 times over those four games. Wilson had better numbers in the playoff loss to the Ravens, but the Steelers were trailing by two scores for almost the entire contest.
The Steelers finished the 2024 season ranked 11th in rushing offense, averaging 127.4 yards per game, but they were fourth in rushing attempts (533). It was just a lot of volume, but the production wasn’t there, only averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The Steelers ranked 29th this season in EPA. The run game was supposed to be Arthur Smith’s specialty, but it never blossomed. The play-action game also wasn’t where it needed to be. The Steelers’ success rate using play-action was actually worse than last year.
The Steelers are running it back with Smith and nearly their entire 2024 coaching staff. The jury is still out on Smith as play-caller, but he needs to show big-time improvements in 2025 to prove Marshall and a good portion of the fanbase wrong.
