Steelers Fans Will Not Be Pleased As Matt Canada Shares Revealing Fact About Stagnant Offense

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are ecstatic about the team's potential for the 2023 season. After a fun-filled offseason led by General Manager Omar Khan, the roster seems to be in a much better spot. As we are just a few months away from the regular season, one major concern remains. That is, Matt Canada is still the team's offensive coordinator, as he enters his third season in the position.

After just one year as the team's quarterbacks coach, the Steelers promoted Canada to OC after the 2020 season. The front office opted to keep him around this offseason despite several incompetent performances from the offense in 2022. On the season, the offense ranked just 26th in points per game (18.1) and 23rd in total yards per game (322.6). When talking to the media on Wednesday via Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan, Canada said that the offense will remain mostly the same.

"We want to run the football. We want to be a good team that throws the ball down the field and takes advantage of what the defense gives us. I think our identity is well known. We will stay where we are at," Canada said via Hathhorn. "There is an identity that comes as an organizational plan from Mr. [Art] Rooney [II] to Coach [Mike] Tomlin. Obviously when I say we are going to run the ball, doesn’t mean we are going to run it every play. In this league, quarterbacks make the plays to win the game at those key moments."

This echoes the same sentiments that we have gotten all offseason. The offensive philosophy begins with the front office in Khan and assistant General Manager Andy Weidl. While they have trust in quarterback Kenny Pickett, the front office has made it clear that they plan on being a run-first team again. They want to return to traditional Pittsburgh football, and that's evident by the moves they have made this offseason.

But the most telling part is these seven words -- we will stay where we are at. It makes me think of that old saying: insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Let's hope the additions to the offense finally make sense of Canada's offense.

They signed left guard Isaac Seumalo to a three-year, $24 million deal in free agency. Then, they traded up to select left tackle Broderick Jones 14th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite a set starting trio on the interior, they even invested more money in Nate Herbig as a competent backup. The front office has put the resources into what they have said, and the identity remains clear. 

What do Steelers need to see from Canada?

For Canada, his contract runs through the 2023-24 season. That truly makes it a prove-it season for him, as the team can move on from him next year by simply not extending him. At this point, he has yet to show many encouraging signs of becoming an elite offensive coordinator. With some better pieces around him though, perhaps he will be better in 2023. If he doesn't show any improvements in the first month, there is a possibility that he gets fired in the middle of the season. 

Many believed that the primary reason that Canada returned was for continuity. With their franchise quarterback entering his second season, it would have been a slight setback to give him a new coordinator. By bringing back Canada, Pickett will be able to have some continuity and stability to start his career. Of course, that's just trying to put your quarterback in the easiest position possible to improve. 

What are your true expectations for the offense in 2023? Do you expect the team to retain Matt Canada after the season? Is there any chance that the front office fires him in the middle of the year if he doesn't perform? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

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