The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a crucial period in the future of the franchise. It is Omar Khan’s first full off-season as the general manager and the Steelers have three top 50 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The organization has to convert those three picks into top-notch talent so that they can take advantage of Kenny Pickett’s rookie contract.
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Steelers' Matt Canada.
Khan does not only have to convert the opportunities in the draft, he has to convince Mike Tomlin that Matt Canada needs another voice in the room to ensure improvement on offense this season. Canada is rumored to be difficult to work with, but Tomlin could still possibly be convinced based on the performance of Brian Flores as a position coach.
Mike DeFabo, who is a reporter for The Athletic, joined The Fan Morning Show with Colin Dunlap and Chris Mack on Friday and he endorsed the idea of the Steelers adding a familiar face to the Steelers coaching staff:
“I’m intrigued by the idea of adding Byron Leftwich,” DeFabo said. “The first two years with Tampa, everyone saw him as this up-and-coming guy. He was young and related to players and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the fourth-best play-caller in the 2020 season. Now all of a sudden, after a bad year with Tom Brady’s noodle arm and a lack of weapons, he lost his job.”
Leftwich played for the Steelers in 2008, 2010, and 2012. He played in eight games for the Steelers in those three seasons and was a key contributor to the 2008 Super Bowl team, relieving Roethlisberger five times and throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns. Leftwich provided quality play at key moments and forged a bond with Bruce Arians that would lead to his offensive coordinator position in Tampa:
“What I like about bringing in a guy like Byron Leftwich is he’s been in the Steelers quarterback room,” DeFabo continued. “That is another voice of leadership in Kenny Pickett’s ear. Let’s say things don’t go the way you hope with Matt Canada, you’ve got a guy sitting right there waiting who has called plays in the NFL for a number of seasons.”
When the sentiment to fire Canada during the bye week was at a fever pitch, the speculation was that the Steelers didn’t have a viable candidate to take over. Mike Sullivan has been a coordinator, but he was not successful and he could have been even worse. Leftwich conversely has been a coordinator on a Super Bowl team, so they could turn to him midseason if he was already on the staff.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Could Exploit Past Relationships To Improve Offensive Coaching Staff
The current trend in the NFL and the NCAA for that matter is to bring in offensive consultants to help coordinators improve their offense. Teams are bringing in extra offensive minds, not because they don’t have faith in coordinators, but they are taking the no-stone-unturned approach. Jim Caldwell and Ken Whisenhunt are veteran coordinators and former head coaches who have been added to coaching staffs that are not afraid of differing opinions.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Brian Flores.
Tomlin broke with perception when he brought a strong voice like Flores in last season on defense and the team benefited from the move. Bringing in Leftwich or another offensive mind to ideally help Canada would be a bold move that would indicate he is embracing the modern NFL’s collaborative atmosphere.
If there is resistance from Canada to adding a strong voice on offense, then the Steelers should strongly consider removing him immediately. He was kept supposedly to provide Pickett continuity in his second season, but resisting a former Steelers quarterback, who until last season was a hot commodity in coaching circles, should sound the death knell for his tenure in Pittsburgh.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers bring in Leftwich or another strong coach to help on offense? Please comment below, or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
