Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada Not Going To Change Bland Offense Even With Job On The Line In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an organizational plan that involves being a tough-running football team. According to Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, that directive comes right from the top. Don't expect Canada to change much of his offensive game plan, even though he is on the hot seat entering 2023.

NFL insider, Aditi Kinkhabwala said during an appearance on The House of Yinzer podcast, she expects the team's offense to have "growth in its diversity." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer, Brian Batko said on a recent episode of the North Shore Drive Podcast that, by looking at Canada's resume and the directives from Art Rooney II and Head Coach, Mike Tomlin, that he doesn't see the offense making any kind of prolific change. 

"He’s been consistent in his rhetoric that all that matters is that we score more points than the other teams," he said. "That can be ball control, that can be field position battles. At times, that can be a conservative offense. How many times have we used that word with Canada’s Steelers? Philosophically, going back to his jobs in the college ranks, he’s never been one of those offensive coordinators who talks up his system as 'We are going to put up a ton of points. ‘We are going to break the scoreboard with how much we’re scoring.’"

Batko expressed his confusion about the team bringing back the maligned coordinator. The organization has said the decision was made in the interests of continuity as the play caller for young quarterback, Kenny Pickett. Batko thinks that defensive head coaches have favored Canada's lower-risk style of play. 

Canada will have a rebuilt offensive line to go with the second-year quarterback and an abundance of weapons to play with in year three. If he's coming back for a fourth year, plenty will have to fall his way.

Steelers Need Playoff Success To Validate 2023 Canada Decision

Todd Haley was in his second to last season in 2016 as Offensive Coordinator when Pittsburgh rattled off playoff victories over the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs before falling to the New England Patriots in the AFC Title game. Canada will have to prove he can lead the offense back to the postseason first before he gets a second chance at calling an NFL playoff game. 

Batko thinks that if the team can go on some kind of a run that includes a win or two in January, the hate on Canada may relax a little; even if the team relies on the defense to be stellar and Pickett to be good enough. He wouldn't rule out the possibility of the organization sticking with Canada beyond the 2023 season but isn't expecting it to happen. 

Some analysts have tried to put up statistical benchmarks that would entice the team to extend Canada beyond 2023, but Batko thought the decision probably won't be based on that so he didn't have any numbers. But wins will count for a lot.   

"I think it would take a lot to get Canada back here for a fourth year, he said. "Most realistic to me, looking at the personnel, what they were able to do last season, and the schedule, I think they’ll improve. I don’t think it will be enough to run it back yet again. I think they’ll be in a place a year from now where we’ll be talking about whether some new play caller and coordinator can get more out of the Pickett, Johnson, Pickens, Harris core."

Canada will need to find ways to better use all the weapons on offense. He's had all of the Organized Team Activities and will have all of training camp with his full group to install a game plan that shows he is more than a college coordinator.  

Is there any scenario you see Canada back for year four? What would it take in 2023 to convince you he deserves an extension? Comment below!

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