Pittsburgh Steelers fans were calling for the job of offensive coordinator, Matt Canada for the first few months of the 2022 campaign. Coming out of the Week 9 bye, those criticisms slowly became quieter. Canada helped the offense improve over the last two months, providing optimism for 2023, led by quarterback, Kenny Pickett.
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada on the field at a practice during 2022 training camp. | Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
The team ended up finishing 9-8, just barely missing out on the postseason. Almost immediately after the season, speculation began on whether the team would keep Canada for a third season. Rather quickly, the Steelers front office announced that Canada would indeed return for the 2023 campaign. On Thursday via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, president Art Rooney met with the media, and he explained the team's decision to keep Canada:
Art Rooney II just met with select reporters. He said the decision to retain OC Matt Canada was based on second half performance and not wanting to break in new OC with Kenny Pickett.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) January 26, 2023
Now, this was a main reason as to why fans and insiders speculated that Canada may stick around. Changing coordinators after Pickett's first season in the league certainly wouldn't be ideal. It would almost stunt his growth in a way, as you want as much continuity as possible when building around your potential franchise quarterback.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
The offense's improvements were enough for the front office to bring back Canada. His contract runs through the end of the 2023 season, so they could certainly find someone else next off-season. Furthermore, Rooney specifically discussed the relationship between Pickett and Canada:
"They seemed to work well together. They built a good working relationship together," Rooney said via Rutter. "To start over with a new offensive coordinator, you could wind up back in the same situation again in the first half of the season."
Whether we like it or not, those reasons are legitimate as to why to keep Canada around. The offense did show improvements, specifically in the running game. With another off-season of reinforcements, specifically an aggressive free agency led by GM Omar Khan, this team could return to the postseason in 2023.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Now other names were speculated as a possible replacement for Canada, including quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich. Rooney did not rule out possibly bringing in a senior offensive assistant. If he fails to land another OC role, Leftwich could be a possibility there. It would give the team a backup plan if Canada doesn't improve in 2023.
What do you make of Rooney's comments regarding Canada? If the offense struggles in the first few weeks of the 2023 season, would you fire him in the middle of the year? Who did you want as the OC next season? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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