The words most fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers don't want to hear from head coach, Mike Tomlin, are that offensive coordinator, Matt Canada will be returning for a third season heading into 2023. It seemed as almost a foregone conclusion that he was calling his last season of games for the franchise, but with one year remaining on his contract after 2022, it is looking more and more likely that he could be retained after the final three games of the season. The offense has been much more consistent following the bye in Week 9 and he may have already done enough to save his job.
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada (left) and head coach, Mike Tomlin (right). | Credit: Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh is 4-2 in its last six games. During that stretch, the only two losses came when Canada'a group didn't control the time of possession against the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. The rushing attack has come alive and averaged just over 144 yards per game on the ground during that span. In all four wins, the Steelers controlled the clock for 32:55 or more. It seems as if the offense has a new identity and one that has led to a successful second half of the year.
There's a lot that can factor into the decision that Tomlin will have to make in less than a month. It really begins with rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett. While he won't have a say in the decision, if the offense plays well enough and the young signal-caller seems to finish the year on a strong note, continuously improving, Canada might be the best guy to call the plays in a year from a comfortability standpoint.
There is no doubt Canada had to make a serious adjustment coming from the college football world. He was Pittsburgh's quarterbacks coach for just one season before being promoted to run the offense in 2021. It's not happening as fast as fans would like it to, but it's hard to ignore the adjustments that have clearly been made the last six weeks or so. His offense is starting to look more like one that belongs in the NFL.
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada stares into the distance during a 2022 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
It was always expected that the offensive line would take several weeks to begin to gel. There are absolutely still holes on the left side, but the rapport they have developed throughout the course of the season is showing since the week off. Canada has intelligently used that to his advantage and on top of a strong running game, only three turnovers from the offense have occurred since Week 10 and they came when Mitchell Trubisky threw three interceptions versus the Ravens in Week 14.
Pickett even praised his offensive coordinator recently for keeping an open mind when it comes to the unit this year. That's a strong sign that the input of his players may have helped make small tweaks that have helped the group succeed recently:
"I think that open line of communication is going to continue to improve and he’s very open to suggestions that we have as players, as staff. It’s a collective effort. It’s definitely cool to have an OC that’s open to that and not just close-minded," Pickett said.
Steelers' Kenny Pickett (#8) and offensive coordinator Matt Canada work on the game plan in preparation for the New Orleans Saints in Pittsburgh, PA. | Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
It's definitely not what Steelers fans want to hear, but it's important to be realistic. Canada has made necessary adjustments and is now showing that his offense can be a formidable one in the NFL. After the offense was only responsible for 20 or more points in just two games prior to the bye week, four out of six games have accomplished that small feat since the break. No one is putting this offense up with the Kansas City Chiefs of the world, but the progress is something to note. Canada is likely to be back in 2023.
Do you think that Canada has done enough the past six games to continue as the offensive play caller? Let us know in the comments below!
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