Don't say I didn't warn you fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Because I did.
After the emotional roller coaster season that was 2022 for your beloved black-n-gold, from the injury to TJ Watt, to the on-the-fly start of the career of rookie QB Kenny Pickett, to the final seconds of Week 18 play that saw the Miami Dolphins eliminate the Steelers from playoff contention this season, it was always in the back of people's minds that Matt Canada wasn't going anywhere.
And it got confirmed this week. Canada is back in 2023.
And the only logical reason why is because Mike Tomlin is the head coach. And he ain't budging on this.
Loyalty By Tomlin To Canada Far More Important Than Conveyed Views After Blowout Loss In October
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada and head coach Mike Tomlin on the field at Acrisure Stadium. | Credit: Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Do we really want to relive the 'you have to be open to change' comments from October 9th in Orchard Park, NY that Mike Tomlin made after a 35-point loss to the Buffalo Bills that set the stage for this week's news? You remember the 3-point effort that day by this team? Kicking field-goals in obvious situations where you otherwise shouldn't. The first start of the Kenny Pickett era, coming off his first ever NFL action the week prior where he turned the ball over three times to the New York Jets and suffered a crushing last-second loss, one that would have lifted the team into the postseason had they won?
To that point under Canada, this team recorded the following in points scored. 23, 14, 17 & 20 points prior to the beat down in Buffalo. The team did beat Tampa Bay the next week, but registered just 20 points and finished the first half of the year with 10 and 13 point days, both losses.
Insert 50 puke emojis.
Truth is, Matt Canada should have never been hired to be this team's OC, but he is and out of a blind loyalty by Tomlin to him for an athletic scholarship Canada gave Tomlin's son in 2018 to attend the University of Maryland. Dino Tomlin spent two seasons in College Park, only to leap to Boston College where he caught 10 passes for 181 yards last season.
If you want to know why Canada is staying, this is it. A loyalty that goes beyond performance. Because apparently, the standard is whatever Mike Tomlin deems it to be.
Tomlin And Staff Benefit From Core Of Young Steelers Talent That Should Get Better
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 04: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
So there is no reason to get any more worked up over it. He's coming back. Now how do they turn lemons into lemonade? Well, you start first by looking at the core nucleus of this team for the next 3-4 years. Many under contract. Najee Harris improved over the season, much better play in the second half for sure, but many of those on offense did the same, Pickett being the most important. He wasn't flashy, but he stopped turning the ball over. George Pickens was a stud. The O-Line did improve in the back half of the year and despite not hitting 30-points other than a 7-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The only real disappointment all season on offense was the $18 million spent on wideout, Diontae Johnson. Unless paying that kind of money to a guy who prides himself on running back towards the line of scrimmage after catching a pass downfield and not running for the line to gain is your thing, then we're good I suppose.
I don't know how to credit Canada for this, but if he takes blame for poor performance, he should get some praise for improved efforts shown over the final nine weeks. To say the news of Tomlin keeping Canada for 2023 was not received well is an understatement. What's really hard is of course the team fought its way back only to not make the postseason. But we are not here for that, as we now must look towards the 2023 NFL Draft.
Focus On Draft; Next Block For Building A Better Path In 2023 For Steelers Success
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 24: Director of Football & Business Operations Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sideline before a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on August 24, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Chiefs defeated the Steelers 26-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Now it's time for Omar Khan to earn his money, along with his staff as the draft is all that matters now. This team has 3 picks in the first 49, including the 17th and 32nd which is the first selection of the 2nd round thanks to the steal Khan dropped on the Chicago Bears when they took Chase Claypool off his hands. With 7 picks overall, this team must make good on all of them.
Personally, I'd try to trade Diontae Johnson for some picks. There is a good chance Jordan Addison will be available at 17, possibly even drop to 32. You need help in the secondary, O-Line, D-Line, it's never a bad thing to have too many picks. A trade of DJ could bring 2-3 more selections this and possibly next year.
However the Steelers proceed, it will be with Matt Canada. Buckle up, this ride continues into the next season.
So Steelers fans, are you shocked Matt Canada is returning or are you just over it all? Sound off below!
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