The Pittsburgh Steelers have been set up for success in 2023 by a very good offseason. They signed some interesting free agents to play inside linebacker, and signed a future Hall of Fame cornerback in Patrick Peterson. They traded very little to buy the lottery ticket that is Allen Robinson, and are gambling on him returning to a Pro Bowl level in the slot. The 2023 draft class is highly regarded and whatever is lacking, there is complete confidence in Omar Khan to find whatever they need to win this season.
Michael Conroy / Associated Press
Steelers general manager Omar Khan speaks to the media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
On 93.7 The Fan during The Cook & Joe Show on Monday, Bob Pompeani refereed a showdown between Ron Cook and Joe Starkey over the future of one of the things Khan is not in control of this season, Matt Canada’s future. Pompeani asked the veteran commentators what it would take for Canada to earn a contract extension in Pittsburgh in 2023.
“If the Steelers average 25 or more points a game,” Starkey chimed in.
Starkey did not give any qualifications for wins being part of the criteria for Canada to retain his job. The Steelers' offense was near the bottom of the league in points per game last season, and Khan, Andy Weidl, and Mike Tomlin have concentrated on transforming the Steelers’ offense into one of the most formidable power run units in the NFL. If they are successful, Kenny Pickett and the passing game should benefit greatly.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Kenny Pickett.
“I don’t know that it has to be 25,” Cook responded. “It has to be a clear improvement. Your eyes have to tell you it is a much more formidable offense. I do think wins will have something to do with it. Of course, they are going to win with more points. 25, maybe. 22 or 23 something like that, what were they last year, 17 or 18?
Cook’s point is a savvy one. Measuring the offense by points per game is a valid metric, but it has to generate wins. If the Steelers dominate the time of possession and win several 21-24 to 13-17 games, it does not mean that they have not become more efficient if they win more games. There is no arguing that the approach on offense was fundamentally altered at the end of last season and augmented heading into 2023.
“Only one time over 30 last year in the entire season,” Pompeani interjected. “I think definitely that is going to be a criteria. You don’t think wins or losses will matter?”
Pompeani directed the question to Starkey to give him a chance to expound upon his answer. It is a valid point that certain games during this season will devolve into shootouts and the Steelers cannot run out of gas like they did in Cincinnati last season in a 37-30 loss. Pittsburgh turned Pickett loose in the first half and he led the Steelers to a 20-17 halftime advantage. Canada and the Steelers’ offense went into a shell in the third quarter, and they fell hopelessly behind in the second half.
“Well, if they go 3 and 13 and the offense falters, then 25 probably won’t do it, Bob,” Starkey admitted. “All things being equal, don’t we already know they are going to end up around 8, 9, 10 wins, something like that?”
-544x306.jpg "Steelers Mike Tomlin")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin smiles through the team's pregame warmups in Pittsburgh, PA.
Starkey’s clarification makes perfect sense. It is almost unfathomable after last season that the offense could sink far enough this offseason for Tomlin not to find 8 wins in a contract year. It is much more likely that the Steelers will be in the playoff mix as long as Pickett takes a step forward in his second season.
CBS Insider Aditi Kinkhabwala Lays Out Criteria For Matt Canada To Demonstrate Improvement In 2023
The decision to allow Canada to finish out his contract in Pittsburgh will put a lot of pressure on the offense to perform. If Tomlin is not going to control the expectations by taking pressure off his young quarterback as he did in the second half of last season while allowing him the freedom to freelance to win one-score games, it won’t be pretty, but it will be effective. No matter the result, Canada is not the long-term answer for Pickett to take a third step forward, and that decision might fall to Art Rooney II as a condition for Tomlin’s next contract.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you care what Canada does in 2023, or do you just want him gone regardless of the result? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
