Steelers Insider Expects A New Offensive Coordinator In 2024 Regardless Of 2023 Results

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big season on their hands in 2023 for multiple reasons. The primary one centers around their offense, most notably offensive coordinator, Matt Canada. The Steelers have a limited window while they still have second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett under a rookie contract and significant improvement will be needed on offense if Pittsburgh wants to compete in 2023. Canada, who has been with the Steelers since 2020, will be on the proverbial chopping block at the end of the season according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter, Brian Batko. 

In a recent chat online, Batko said he believes that 2023 will likely be the final season of Canada's tenure in Pittsburgh. 

"It's hard for me to envision Kenny Pickett playing so poorly that the Steelers would give up on him after two years (a season and a half, really). And I also think he'd have to really take off for the Steelers to not end the Matt Canada experiment. So, yeah, however you wanna slice it, my way-too-early projection is that Pickett is paired with a new OC this time next year."

This revelation is not out of the realm of possibilities. It's no secret that Canada nearly lost his job last year had it not been for a late season surge that saw the offensive begin to move in the right direction. At the halfway point of the season in 2022, the Steelers were sitting at 2-6 and were statistically one of the worst offenses in football. However, Canada and company turned to a run-first approach that saw them win seven out of their last nine games and narrowly miss the playoffs. 

As Batko states, even with a significant leap in year two for Pickett, it's hard to envision the Steelers keeping Canada around in 2024 and beyond. Canada has been unable to adapt to the NFL from his college coaching days. He has consistently ignored the middle of the field when game planing and even admitted recently that the Steelers offense lacks explosion. These deficiencies can not be blamed on personnel and Canada must look in the mirror if he expects change to happen.

Steelers Offensive Approach Hasn't Changed Much Since 2021

The Steelers brass formulated a game plan following the retirement of long-time franchise quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. Many speculated going into the 2022 season that they would attempt to sign a veteran QB as a placeholder and select a franchise signal-caller in the 2023 draft. However, with the selection of Pickett in the first-round back in 2022, they made a conscious decision to take advantage of a young and talented roster and re-tool, not re-build.

But even with the swapping of Pickett for Roethlisberger, the offense has not seen any sort of significant improvement. Their passing game still lacks chunk plays and route concepts that create separation for their receivers.

They have spent substantial draft capital on skill position players over the past few seasons with first-round pick Najee Harris in 2021, second-round pick Pat Freiermuth in 2021, first-round pick, Pickett in 2022, and second-round pick, George Pickens also in 2022. Couple this with a massive contract extension for stand-out receiver, Diontae Johnson in 2022, many would expect this offense to be at the top of the league.

However, under the tutelage of Canada, this has not taken place. The Steelers can't continue to invest money and draft picks into an offense that is being mismanaged by their offensive coordinator. As Batko states, a significant leap for the offense must take place in 2023, and even then it might be too little too late for Canada. 

Do you think the Steelers should move on from Canada after the 2023 season? Please sound off in the comments below!

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