Why did Steelers' Arthur Smith strip Russell Wilson's ability to audible? Different philosophies?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to colleague Gerry Dulac's report about friction between OC Arthur Smith and QB Russell Wilson this past season. Why didn't Smith want Wilson changing plays at the line of scrimmage? Could their friction prevent them from working together next season? Is this another reason to believe the Steelers will prefer Justin Fields for 2025? And what level of involvement did coach Mike Tomlin have in the situation?
Our duo tackles those questions, then turns attention to receivers. Is trading George Pickens a serious possibility for GM Omar Khan and this front office? Where would that leave the receivers room beyond Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson? And is Cooper Kupp a worthwhile trade target after the Rams made him available on the NFL trade market this week?
For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.
This is Mike Tomlins doing
Arthur Smith is the problem.
@@DeCurtaRican You mean Matt Canada, or wait maybe it was Randy Fichtners fault! See the pattern
@@hello-w-o8sI see it now!! It’s definently Mike Tomlin.
Everyone complains about Russ's checkdowns ,but that's what good qb's do...watch Malhoms and Brady
These idiots don't really watch football. The just repeat media talking points.
@@jasonyoung8448 the issue isn’t the check downs, it’s the inability to connect on intermediate routes down the middle which effectively erases the TE and slot receiver from the passing game.
Russ can’t see over the line from the pocket and can no longer escape like he used to.
It was worth a shot, but it’s time to move on
@@johnfrickle2231 Not so. You’re just regurgitating a false narrative. Russ can see the entire field just fine. Get the man a real offensive line and serious receivers and he will play at an elite level again 😎
@@SiDung-qg7rndude can’t even see over his lineman he’s never been great at throwing in the middle of the field stop glazing and be real with yourself
@johnfrickle2231 he's been seeing over the line just fine for 13 years..thats some crap started by the media
The QB comes up to the line, see the defense has moved and the play called will not work the QB should be able to change the play. If this is not happing Smith is a fool and Tomlin should be released for allowing it to happen. I am convinced as long as Tomlin is the head coach the Steelers will never win another Super Bowl
Are you really believing this crap😅 Russ was allowed to audible all season don't believe the lies. Russ is a veteran QB who won a SB with Seattle Mike Tomlin allowed him to audible ok. Don't believe these lies that Russ wasn't able to audible
Tomlin is not the problem....Pittsburgh doesn't have a QB
Russell Wilson can still play at an elite level. Just build around him. He’s that guy 😎
@@edwardbarnes75He is the problem. His ego is out of control. Look at all the dopes he hires. Smith Canada Austin all jokes in the coaching scene.
Based on this report Russell Wilson deserves another shot and needs to be given the autonomy to do what he does best without any restrictions. People keep talking about Russ needs to go I think it’s clear if anyone needs to go it is Arthur Smith.
😂😂😂😂😂 don't believe in lies
So was Sean Payton the issue when Payton was chewing Russ out on the side lines last year ?
@@tchallal6684 Yes.
@@tchallal6684absolutely, Sean Payton was trying to tank when they still had a chance. That coach was a disgrace.
@@tchallal6684 Payton is an asssssss
this open the door for Russ to come back because maybe Russ is more like the QB in the Bengals first game and not the last five. Change offense Coach not QB?
so, for last 4 years the Steeler offense has not allowed the QBs to audible, seems to me I remember Ben complaining or mentioning it his last couple years playing. Seems like it's a team policy, so has any constants over the last 3 OC's?
Right…the only time Ben was rolling late in his career is when he ng no huddle, reading the defense…and he would slice them up. Always like Tomlin…but F him…he gotta go…way overdue.
I knew the minute things went south that Arthur Smith was the problem. And could see it in the play-calling. Russ wasn’t the same, and he had just hung 44 points and on Burrow’s Bengals.
If the Steelers’ defense had been good that day and the Bengals’ D had sucked, that would have been one thing, but both defenses sucked that day. Russ straight-up out-dueled Joe Burrow with one arm tied behind his back, i.e., inferior weapons and protection.
Russ had over 400 yards passing and a rating of 126 against the Bengals, and it was obvious he was changing plays at the line of scrimmage. Several weeks later, Smith reverted to his top secret game plan of run, run, pass, punt, and they weren't nearly as effective. (And several weeks later Smith called a punt on a fourth and inches in a playoff game.) The coaches are clowns. All of them. The defensive coach (and Tomlin) got called out by Julian Edelman this week for having the exact same defense for 18 years. Everyone knows what they'll do.
Arthur Smith needs to leave Pittsburgh what pedigree does Arthur Smith have to be like to basically treat Russell Wilson like a Rookie he’s been to super bowls and have won them
Do you really think that the whole reason they dropped so bad was because of less ability to call plays at the line? Not that the competition drastically changed. Did it make Russ turn the ball over, take sacks, etc. had impact but it was not the only or biggest reason.
It's a combination of the two as a QB when u can't audible and the other team can it's at ur detriment.also if the other team already has better defense coordinator s than ur offensive coordinator he will lose to them often.vet QBs see alot of looks alot of football not being able to audible is like arm wrestling at 50% of ur strength.not bein able to use ur full IQ.playin better teams is like arm wrestling a wrestler at 50%
Bro. The defense couldn't stop an ant the last 6 games. You absolutely have to acknowledge that. And you can't blame Russ for the defense.
Agreed. This has nothing to do with Russ' poor play. Even if this is true - and that's a stretch - he botched the opportunities he did have: only moon balls & check downs, holding the ball, turnovers, etc.
He just played poorly down the stretch. It's on tape.
@cr2lives y'all don't get how football works u wanna judge the throw when what u do presnap puts u in best situation to execute.
@@ljj734 Pre-snap is Russ' responsibility too. You are reaching for excuses for the man.
this is not an arthur smith issue. its a tomlin issue. he said that he wanted to run the ball to keep the ball out of burrows hands game 2
So we’re 10-3. And in the midst of a 5 game skid Arthur Smith tells Russell Wilson (and Mike Tomlin) that even though it’s working… for the sake of AS’s pride or whatever else… NO WAY can Russ change the plays at the line. Is that where we’re going with this? And while we’re losing all these games in a row Tomlin just stood by and allowed this?
Yea sound like bull crap to me also😅
Another excuse for Russ playing horrible down the stretch is what this is😅
This would be grounds for smith to be fired. I don't believe it.
@@perryellis1423I mean it made sense. Look at the last bengals game. Arthur only let Russ threw the ball 5 times in the first half
"And while we’re losing all these games in a row Tomlin just stood by and allowed this?" Why would you find that so surprising? Tomlin stood by tor what? Two and a half seasons watching the futility of Matt Canada. You couldn't watch the Penguins' home games without hearing "Fire Canada." Signs were appearing at random college football games, too.
Totally BS put out there by the agent to get Russ another team next year.
If this is true, Tomlin needs to allow an intelligent qb to play intelligently, this is crazy to hear! Get the egos out of the locker room, and the coaches office!
@@mr.Noshadow no way is this true
The fact that y’all are acting like Art Smith is the one not allowing the QB to change plays is WILD to me! Here’s another Tomlin smokescreen, what’s the Steelers philosophy? Name 1 QB that Tomlin allowed full autonomy of the offense? I’ll wait until my grave! It’s the same organizational malpractice and stubbornness to be a run first, stop the run, win with defense team! The unwillingness to evolve their philosophy to keep up with the rest of the league and score points is the issue! Notice how after the offense had its most productive offensive performance by THROWING THE BALL, it magically gets dialed back to Run first, stop the run! It’s not Artty Smith, it’s clearly Tomlin and AR2! Wake up folks!
And people need to stop pretending that this is Madden or something. Most QBs aren't out there drawing plays in the dirt the way Ben was doing. There's maybe a handful of QBs even capable of operating like that
I think it’s comical y’all have taken one source and just accepted it as gospel. Top notch journalism right here 👌
Does anyone remember back in Ben's last two seasons, when all the analysts were laughing off the rumors that Ben's drawing up his own plays and throwing out the coaches game plan?....... suddenly all that seems very plausible now.
😂 this report got Christopher in shambles
He definitely is, his world is coming apart after this report yo😅
Arthur Smith is the scapegoat? 🤣🤣🤣 He told Tomlin NO… Russ can’t change the plays? If you believe that I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you
So Ben throws for 5,000 yards under Tomlin..but Tomlin is conservative with Russ...does that make sense to you?????
Exactly Russ is looking for excuses again because he's washed
Russ hasn’t said a word about it. The news came out from the inside of the organization. Russ is all class.
This channel does a great job of acting like they know exactly what happens in the meetings and what the game plans are, truth is the only people who know what he was checking into or out of are in the building. And not someone visiting the building with a badge who isn't putting stuff together. Media members do just what every regular person does, which is speculate. You guys got more attention from speculating on this, so kudos.... but I bet this is a non issue INSIDE the steelers building.
GP has made it clear in my mind that he's never wanted to be a Steeler... from his reaction on draft day to arguing with fans on the sidelines. I hope I'm wrong.
Doesn’t sound like the estimated draft compensation would get you a comparable talent to GP so why do that? Steelers have traded away good WRs for cheap though - especially those that are disruptive or who want out. Seems like you could get more back for him this year IF they trade him though… only FA WR close to him is Tee Higgins. Lotta teams need a WR like that.
On the Russ vs Author topic. My educated guess is:
Russ has been calling audibles since the jets game. Hear me out!
Go back to post game interviews and recall what Mike Williams had said in regards to his TD.
He something to the affect that RUSS CALLED THAT PLAY, CHANGED IT IN THE HUDDLE.
Secondly: I believe when they would fall behind from these pedestrian ultra-conservative playcalls RUSS WOULD CALL AUDIBLES
why I say this? Because then Russ will pull drives that result into TDs that would put the Steelers in positions to win.
Thirdly: Bengals game is when it took it to the head. Why I say this: RUSS GOT TOO COMFORTABLE WITH CHANGING PLAYS POST SNAP AND WENT STRAIGHT VETERAN IN THAT GAME.
By which Smith had had enough. The "I'm the OC this my world!" And shut it down. Doesn't matter whether or not it was successful. Author is the play caller, he felt disrespected. You don't take it upon yourself to do what you want.....stay in your place. ME:OC...YOU:QB.
Think about it from A.Smith perspective. "If Russ can do this and do it well....then the Steelers really don't have much of a need for me if Tomlin allows this!" Its politics birth through the womb of ego. An ego that allowed this team to go down in flames in front of its fans. And sadly enough.... RUSSELL TOOK ALL THE BLAME. Whats beautiful is Russell took that on his shoulders and did not make anyone look bad. He's owed an apology from everyone that blamed and shamed him.
Bull shit russ was allowed to audible,ok Russ failed miserably down the stretch and he is blaming the OC just like he blamed the oc on Denver and Seattle in the end, it's always someone else fault not Russ fault. Yea ok 😒 Russell Wilson fans
Arthur Smith - 'I don't want the offence to work, if it doesn't work my way, bye Russ'
Who hires these archaic type of OC's ??? This is immature and a 'relic type of thinking'
How can the Steelers progress with this much EGO!
Ohhh so you found a way to link it to Tomlin...what a surprise
@edwardbarnes75 Nope, as stated, I am only speaking toward Mr.Smith. I presume the GM has the last word on those hires....
@@dlc8506 who believes every lie on the internet? This is obviously a PR attempt by team Russ in hopes that he gets another shot next season.
Sean Payton and Pete Carroll aren’t idiots.
@@johnfrickle2231you’re immature. Pete Carroll lost his head coaching job in Seattle because Russ was not there to save him.
Chuck Noll, the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach of the glory days allowed Terry Bradshaw to call plays, with occasional inputs from the sideline. As a football game progresses there are subtle changes that occur which an experienced QB can feel, or see because he is a part of what's happening. Andy Reid is a good example of a coach that is able to read what's happening. In no way can Mike Tomlin, or Arthur Smith be in the same class with Reid, offensively.
The Steelers need to trade for or draft a nose tackle.They have not had a nose tackle since Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke
Doesn't matter Rusty Wilson is trash 😂
The offensive line, best wide receiver, and OL absolutely fell apart season end.
Authur Smith was brought in to save Najee career with the Steelers. Tomlin wanted the offense was supposed to be run heavy, and after the Cincy game he didn't like those 400 yrds of passing. He wanted Najee to be the bell cow and be the focal point of the offense.
And yet they subbed out najee too much
You have absolutely zero football knowledge to back that up.
I saw this with Dan Reeves and John Elway. Reeves would do run into the line for 3 quarters before he would take the gloves off.
Come on, man, that was bad teams. They were playing Cincinnati playing bad and then they stopped playing good.
If you have a 36 year old QB you don't trust him to audible he shouldn't be your QB
Don’t forget 3 great teams in 11 days end of season?!?
I love how we are suddenly taking an anonymous source as gospel. Oh it's not Tomlin, it's not Russ, it's actually the OC. Trust my anon source.
Ego
If Arthur Smith stripped Russ of the ability to audible out of plays. Then Smith should have been stripped of his offensive play calling duties at seasons end. That's malpractice.
This is y George isn't putting up numbers because Tomlin didn't check the OC...
They are all pros if you can't play then let the next man step up...
Tomlin is clearly a control freak to his teams detriment.
There seems to be a lot of speculation going on here 🤔 I'm not sure why this "report" has been taken as gospel, Could it be Aurthers offense wasn't built for a qb like Russ for example Russ isn't great at throwing over the middle maybe Aurther was like HMMM when I play this qb half my play calls are exempt because Russ checks out of them because he can't throw over the middle thats not speculation thats fact. You can look at Wilsons passing charts. The middle of the field is vacant and has always been vacant with Russ. I honestly think good defenses were going to figure this out either way.
So, what of Aditi, who said that this was all planted by Wilson’s people?
So if you read the article it’s basically rumor and innuendo. There is no actual information just sources say they argued. Clickbait
You playing battle teams dude
Wow it was Author not Russ I New it
Ask yourself a real question here if all of this is true then why would Russell Wilson want to come back to the Steelers???🤔 Because Arthur Smith is not getting fired Art Rooney confirmed that already and Arthur Smith is running the complete show on the offense this season the boss art Rooney confirmed that. So why does russ want to come back to Pittsburgh if this is true?? Russ is a cancer and he will not be back in Pittsburgh Steelers i absolutely guarantee that especially after this story got leaked and made national sports media news it's over for Russ in Pittsburgh
Russ will definitely be back.
@@kimovercash2887 not for the Steelers, I guarantee that
I don't think that Russ is a cancer, but I do think he's not a good fit for the Steelers.
#HereWeGo
@@perryellis1423 typical yinzer
Is that what really happened?
Plain and simple Russell Wilson is not our future they need to see what Justin can do
You guys are crazy if you think Cupp is worth bringing in...hiw can you lead being injured and unavailable every season., on a team that has already overpaid at certain positions ?? GOH
This is the kind of stuff that makes people believe the NFL is scripted and rigged!
It’s also the reason people speculate that the league office is trying to run Russ out of the league because he’s a danger to Mahomes and the Chiefs. The league wants to promote Mahomes and the Chiefs. Andy Reid has never had an answer for Russ.
I understand that the Eagles were just a better team than the Steelers when they played, but the Steelers should’ve won at least two of those last four games! They need to fire Arthur Smith.
What does it matter getting a new qb or getting Justin if arthur gonna limit qbs ability and self sabotage over ego.we literally watched russ not get to do the same things that helped him win u saw the difference that came from Arthur it wasn't good
Aditi >>>>> Dulac
Getting punched in the groin > watching #3 play QB
The Bengals had a HISTORICLY bad defense, so of course point the blame during the 1 game Russ played lights out. Remember how the bengals gave up 300 yards to Kenny? Oh no we stopped letting him audible and his career has fell down the drain, how dare you Mike Tomlin. Also how do you know for a FACT that he didn't audible out of a play? OHHHH that's right lol you don't
George Pickens is our version of Kadarius Tony. Trade em!
The dupes hosting this show and the ones commenting sticking up for a QB who is just not good enough are hilarious.
Then move way up (hopefully we have to) and get a top QB next year. (Dart in the 5th this year unless we double dip at DL)
Simple. The Steelers organization is now mirroring the Browns not the Ravens. Won't tank for a real QB. Rooney won't put a leash on Tomlin because he's black and take some of the team control away from him.
That’s why they ran Russell Wilson out of Denver..::
Because he wouldn’t run the offense
Arthur Smith sabotaged our Steelers.
Arthur Smith was a disastrous hire by mediocre Mike!!
Seems like Russ' PR team is pushing hard for his return.
They're working overtime to get denied!!😅 Steelers don't want a drama diva QB in Russ, they're done with him especially after this story got leaked
I fault Mike Tomlin for this if you have a qb that's productive y hinder him...
Get rid of auther smith
Mahomes isn’t good at throwing the types of passes that make Pickens successful receiver. In Russ, he had the best QB for his skill set.
What are you talking about?? Mahomes threw to Tyreke Hill, but he couldn't get Pickens involved in the passing game? 🙄
@@closeredge5198: Mahomes doesn’t hit tight windows the way Russ does. I know it’s difficult for Mahomes fans to fathom that Russ dies anything better than Mahomes does, but that’s one of them.
It’s probably his biggest weakness! Tyreek was always getting separation.
I compare Mahomes to LeBron for a reason. People aren’t aware of his weaknesses…yet! But that’s one of them.
Mahomes cannot hit the types of tight windows Russ can hit, and he definitely can’t hit them from a distance.
Russ was the best thing that could’ve happened to George Pickens because he gets no separation.
@DeCurtaRican my response wasn't a comparison to Russ, and who is better at one particular thing; to suggest that Pickens couldn't thrive with Mahomes at QB is a highly questionable take
@@DeCurtaRicanRuss doesn't hit tight windows like that. He throws moon balls that are mostly 50/50 and check downs. He can throw those passes, but he doesn't seem to frequently use that in his game and it's on tape with regard to his time with the Steelers.
@@closeredge5198: I am really sick of this. Over the past year, people have reduced Russ to a great moon-ball thrower who used to be mobile but is no longer…
That couldn’t be further from the truth. There isn’t a pass invented that Russ can’t throw, and he’s just a year removed from finishing 8th in the league in QB rushing yards, right behind Mahomes, who played 17 games while Russ only played in 15.
That was in his age 34 season under Sean Payton in Denver. His age 35 season was this year, and you may not know this, but Russ looked like he had MVP stuff this year. I hate that he got injured and had to sit over the first 6 games.
I also hate what Arthur Smith did. I never liked him or thought he was a good coach, and I could tell he screwed up the offense this year.
But back to Russ vs. Mahomes…
Russ is better than Mahomes at more than one particular thing. In fact, everything Mahomes dies better is endowed to him by his height. In fact, the widespread notion that Russ can’t throw over the middle or doesn’t like to, is false.
Both are talented, and both are skilled. Mahomes is the more talented player. Russ is the more skilled player.
If Russ were 6’3, Mahomes wouldn’t even be the in Russ’s league. In fact, nobody would.
I’m going to keep giving Russ his flowers because people have forgotten how insanely good the guy was and still is.
If we go down a list of who is better at what, you would be surprised at how many boxes Russ checks over Mahomes.
Russ is absolutely the better QB for Pickens, and if Pickens doesn’t try to stick with Russ, he had better find a really good substitute.
Allen
Burrow
Murray
Purdy
Those are the only QBs who come remotely close to delivering the rock like Russ does in tight windows regardless of distance.
This is on tomlin as usual he did the same thing with Ben under Canada. Let's not act like we don't remember that and tomlin didn't know. Steelers are completely incompetent.
Proof a house DIVIDED can not stand.......or Team........mike tomlin
Now I want fans to listen to this Sh.. now who really Stinks. What team doesn't adjust playa let's be real....
Dulac doing propaganda for Russ. Awful
Arthur sucks...but the defense still got cooked
So Russ is now trying to get Arthur Smith fired 🙄 when will it end with Russ, its never his fault Seattle, Denver and now Pittsburgh. But its never Russ fault 😔. Poor Russ 😞.
@@perryellis1423 exactly. I suppose smith also told Russ to never throw it over the middle from the pocket as well… oh wait, he NEVER had that ability.
The reality is that there is a chance that Russ returns to the Steelers. I'm not a fan of that option. I do believe that it hinges on the Steelers ability to sign Fields. If they can sign Fields, then I think they make Russ a QB2 offer, at best. If they can't sign Fields, then I think they make Russ a QB1 offer and draft a guy.
@@cr2lives I’m fine if Russ comes back and I’m fine if he goes.
I just scoff at this PR move his team did putting it out there like smith held him back intentionally.
@@johnfrickle2231 Idk where the story ultimately came from, but the timing is interesting. It doesn't change my opinion of Russ' performance. He both played poorly down the stretch and failed to make the team competitive.
@ agreed. I just look at these types of stories and ask myself “who benefits by this going public?” It’s not a perfect system, but it turns out correct far more often than it doesn’t.
Heck I don’t even dislike Russ. For all of his faults he had a stretch this year where it was the best quarterback play we’ve had since 2018. I just see no logical way that this story could be true
I saw a QB that defenses adjusted to. It was the moon ball, check down, squeezing the ball and taking sacks. That why Seattle and Denver moved off Russ. What other franchises are asking for his services?
I guess we'll find out of the Steelers go with JF.
Yeah that's what u wanna see but Russ was playing fine til Arthur Smith limited him.
You saw a drop off in Russ’s play mainly because the Steelers couldn’t run the ball effectively and the competition got significantly better. Russ is still a good QB but he needs help. BTW only a 4 QBs in this league can carry a team. Mahomes, Allen, Lamar, and Burrow.
@@ljj734 who says smith limited him?
Seriously who said it? I’m betting it was team Russ trying to cover for the end of the season. It’s been that way for the past two teams with him as well.
@johnfrickle2231 I mean all the reporters reporting it
Fields, Dart, please
Two mobile QBs with zero evidence they can read a defense in the NFL? Bro, you fields fans need to go to Cleveland. You'll fit right in.
@@ryanmurray8771 fields this year and draft one high next year if he doesn’t work out is my preference. This draft smells like Kenny Pickett’s class. Use the pick on someone who can help instead and move up next year.
Sean Payton / Pete Carrol both superbowl winning coaches along with Tomlin and neither other the 3 would let Russell Wilson change plays. That should tell you something
Except your wrong Carrol did let him change plays, Payton made it clear he did not want Wilson he wanted his own QB. Goodbye