The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed week one of their offseason and the fan base is restless. Reports of Matt Canada’s future are coming hot and heavy and one thing is clear. Nobody knows anything about what Canada’s future is except Mike Tomlin, and maybe Omar Khan and Art Rooney II, and they aren’t telling.
Photo Credit: NFL on ESPN
Brooke Pryor, who covers the Steelers for ESPN, joined the PM Team w/Poni & Mueller Monday afternoon to discuss Pittsburgh’s offseason. The bombastic Andrew Fillipponi, the founder and president of the Kenny Pickett fan club, ranges from outrage to dejection when the Steelers offensive coordinator comes up and Pryor did nothing to comfort him with her observations of the one-week-old offseason.
“I’m not hiding in bushes outside the Steeler facility to see when he comes and goes,” Pryor began. “I understand the frustration with Matt Canada. I don’t know that everyone in the building shares those frustrations that I think the general public, Twitter has. I would not be surprised to see Matt Canada continue to be employed by the Steelers at the end of this.”
Pryor is the latest Steelers insider to confirm Fillipponi’s and the fan base's worst fears. Canada is going to be calling plays when Pittsburgh opens the 2023 NFL season. She intimated that perhaps Ben Roethlisberger’s final year and willingness to rebel and do his own thing stunted the entire offense’s growth under the embattled offensive coordinator and may lead to his return.
“One thing Kevin Dotson said to me is that this was the first year we were able to see a true version of a Matt Canada offense,” Pryor continued. “Maybe that makes you happy and maybe that really frustrates you. I think he has a longer leash. I don’t get the sense there will be a change at offensive coordinator.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: Dan Moore Jr. #65 and Kevin Dotson #69 of the Pittsburgh Steelers block Patrick Johnson #48 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Steelers were, at one point this season, openly questioning coaches publicly and at 2-6 the opinion of virtually everyone connected with rooting for the team was that Canada should not survive the bye week. Pryor relates that after an interview with Kevin Dotson while he was cleaning out his locker, that a key bye week meeting turned around the Steelers season in the second half.
“I get the sense they have positive feelings," Pryor said about the players and Canada. “The lack of buy in that was happening early on and you saw the difference after the bye. Mike Tomlin with the whole team, specifically the offense with Canada and said here’s my vision, here’s how we are going to execute it, these are the things that need to happen and it all kind of clicked for everybody to just sit down and have that honest conversation.”
Pittsburgh made some key adjustments after the bye week and the offense benefited from the changes. The RPO didn’t completely disappear, but it was no longer the staple of the offense. The seemingly endless illegal man down field penalties decreased dramatically. The Steelers and specifically Najee Harris made a commitment to downhill power running and exploded into holes. Harris specifically stopped searching and started running for two to three yards.
Jaylen Warren became more than just a tool to rest Harris, but a bona fide weapon that forced Tomlin to actively employ a two headed monster at running back that made both players better. The Steelers' two-headed monster morphed from second and 11 to second and seven, making all the difference in the offense. The line was opening holes and with rare exceptions the protection for Pickett was solid and the passing game, while still unimaginative, improved.
“He (Tomlin) moves slower, and maybe the Steelers organization moves slower than other teams in their exit process,” Pryor concluded. “I know that they met last week and did a bunch of exit interviews with the players. Mike Tomlin will not be rushed, he is not on anyone else’s clock. Maybe he is waiting for everything to settle down and let team’s get through the Super Bowl.”
A rumor has been floated that the Steelers are watching the Tampa Bay situation closely to see if Byron Leftwich is available, which may change the organization's thinking. The argument that all the good offensive coordinators will be gone if the Steelers wait seems premature. Great coordinators are hoping to get head coaching jobs not make lateral moves. Patience could really pay off for the Steelers.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 01: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
It is obvious at this point no matter what happens the Steelers won’t make any change because they feel that the team is in dire need. If a better option becomes available, Pittsburgh’s options are open. If it does not, there is a strong undercurrent of support for Canada coming back in 2023. The organization may be leaning one way in private but if they are, the Steelers aren’t telling. In other words, it’s business as usual in Pittsburgh.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you adjusting to the fact that Canada could be calling plays in September? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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