Slow starts are dangerous — especially in the NFL. Unfortunately for Arthur Smith and the Pittsburgh Steelers, they’ve become almost unavoidable. It’s a glaring blemish that continues to block this team from taking the next leap. And on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, it cost them dearly before the game even truly began.
Let’s be honest — this was a game the Steelers could not afford to make mistakes in.
Not because the Chargers are a superior opponent, but because Pittsburgh simply cannot keep playing with its food. Every week, the same storyline unfolds: the offense fails to show up, and the defense is asked to be nearly perfect. That’s a dangerous formula in any league, but especially in a prime-time matchup on the road.
The opening drive was painful to watch. The same stagnant rhythm, the same predictable calls, and the same lack of spark that have plagued this team all season. When the offense stalls, it isn’t just a missed opportunity — it’s a gut punch to the defense that has to take the field again with barely a breather.
A 59-yard Chris Boswell field goal on Pittsburgh’s second drive finally put points on the board, but it couldn’t mask the sloppy execution. The protection was shaky, the play-calling hesitant, and the timing completely off. It looked like a team playing on two different pages — the quarterback trying to create, while the offensive line just tried to survive.
Then came the dagger. On Pittsburgh’s third drive, Aaron Rodgers was sacked in the end zone, handing Los Angeles a safety and their first points of the night. A careless mistake by a veteran quarterback isn’t the cure for a sputtering start — it’s fuel for disaster.
Arthur Smith's offense is sabotaging the Pittsburgh Steelers' growth
When the Steelers had a chance to respond and reset the tone, the same mistakes resurfaced. On the next drive, Boswell’s 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide, sending a groan through SoFi Stadium. One missed kick won’t define a season, but the constant offensive misfires might.
Meanwhile, Teryl Austin’s defense did its part to keep the game within reach.
They pressured Justin Herbert, limited explosive plays, and forced tough throws — all while getting minimal help from the offense. This defense is still the identity of the franchise, but even the most dominant units need points to back them up. You can only hold your breath for so long before the dam breaks.
Let’s call it what it is — this offense is failing the rest of the team. The line play was abysmal, leaving a 41-year-old quarterback scrambling for his life. The run game was nonexistent, which is inexcusable against the league’s 27th-ranked defense in yards per carry allowed.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers has been playing above expectations this season, but his decision-making and pocket awareness were poor in the first half. And while Smith’s scheme might work on paper, it hasn’t translated to rhythm or points on the field.
It’s frustrating, it’s avoidable, and it’s beginning to feel like déjà vu. The Steelers can’t continue to lean solely on their defense and expect greatness. The second half of this season — and perhaps this era — will depend on whether Arthur Smith’s offense can finally find life. Because right now, it’s not just slow starts that are hurting Pittsburgh — it’s complete offensive paralysis.