Outspoken ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back in his critique of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a recent segment on First Take. The polarizing sports commentator expressed major concerns about the team’s offensive line, questioning their ability to compete against the league’s elite defenses and casting doubt on the overall explosiveness of the Steelers’ offense.
“I don’t think they’re explosive,” Smith said bluntly. “When you look at the Steelers’ offensive line, they’re not giving Kenny Pickett enough time to throw, and they’re not creating the kind of running lanes Najee Harris needs to dominate. It’s hard to see this offense stacking up against the AFC’s top-tier teams.”
Smith’s criticism follows a lackluster offensive showing by the Steelers in recent weeks, where struggles in both the passing and running game have highlighted glaring issues with the line’s consistency. While the team has shown flashes of potential, particularly with young quarterback Kenny Pickett under center and promising weapons like George Pickens at wide receiver, Smith remains unconvinced that Pittsburgh can sustain success without significant improvements.
“Their defense is keeping them alive, but that’s not enough in today’s NFL,” Smith continued. “If you’re going to be taken seriously in the playoffs, you need an offense that can light up the scoreboard. Right now, the Steelers don’t have that, and a lot of it falls on that offensive line.”
Smith also expressed doubts about Pickett’s development behind an unreliable line, suggesting that the young quarterback may struggle to reach his potential if Pittsburgh doesn’t address the issue in the offseason.
“This isn’t just about one or two games,” Smith added. “This is a systemic issue. They need to invest in protecting their quarterback and opening up the playbook. Otherwise, they’re going to keep falling short when it matters most.”
The Steelers currently sit in playoff contention, but Smith’s comments highlight a broader concern about their ability to compete deep into January. Whether the team can address its offensive shortcomings in time to make a run remains to be seen. For now, the spotlight is squarely on the offensive line—and the pressure is mounting.
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