The Pittsburgh Steelers have had Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada running their offense since 2021 when he was promoted from quarterbacks coach. Since he took over, Canada has gotten more than his fair share of ire from fans and even analysts. While some of it is deserved, some of it is over the top. Now one league insider thinks that Canada has a shot at the dream job - head coach in the NFL, and it could happen sooner than you think.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Matt Canada during the 2021 season.
Canada has spent the majority of his career working in college football primarily as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Prior to joining the Steelers, he was the acting head coach at the University of Maryland in 2018. During his time at the helm, Maryland was inconsistent. They almost beat third-ranked Ohio State, but only finished 5-7 on the year. He was replaced by Mike Locksley and his time as a Terrapin ended.
His first year was as the quarterbacks coach for Ben Roethlisberger, who retired at the end of that season. When the Steelers decided to part ways with the prior coordinator, Randy Fichtner, Canada moved up. Immediately folks were divided on the promotion. There were those who felt he didn't have enough experience and there were those who were excited about the new system he was supposed to bring.
No matter how you look at it or who you blame, Canada's first two seasons in Pittsburgh have been rough. In 2021, he had little input as Roethlisberger led the offense the way he wanted for his final season. Then in 2022, the Steelers started out the season with journeyman Mitch Trubisky, but ultimately benched him in favor of then-rookie Kenny Pickett. It took time for the offense to find their sea legs.
But they did find them. The whole team struggled initially, but after the bye week, they managed to turn it around and finish out the season 7-2. While the whole team improved, the offense showed a tremendous amount of perseverance as they found some chemistry.
Kim Klement Neitzel / USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) and wide receiver George Pickens (#14) are ready to make the leap in 2023
Now, headed into the 2023 season, everyone is excited by what they saw during the preseason. The offense looked fantastic, there is no other way to describe it. Of course, it is preseason, but Pickett still had a perfect passer rating. Everyone was doing what they were supposed to do - blocking, running, catching, scoring. Just a well-oiled machine.
The question on most folk's minds is if Canada has done enough to keep his job in Pittsburgh after the 2023 season. The answer seems to be that it is too soon to tell. But if we are putting the cart way before the horse, let's ask ourselves if we think Canada can do enough to be a serious contender for an NFL head coaching job? At least one NFL insider thinks so.
Could Steelers' Matt Canada Be In Line For A Head Coaching Job Soon?
On a recent appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Mike Florio said he thinks that given the right set of circumstances - continued growth from Pickett and overall offensive improvement including scoring touchdowns, Canada could become sought after.
Florio is a sportswriter and commentator who writes for ProFootballTalk.com, which he created. While talking with show host Andrew Fillipponi, he said it will all depend on the momentum the Steelers take into the regular season. Florio said that if they are able to ride this wave of success, then teams could seriously start courting Canada.
"Pickett and Canada will be regarded as two guys attached at the hip because Tomlin is a defensive guy. Canada certainly benefits from that. If Pickett really takes off this year or next year, that really helps Canada because owners will look at it and give a lot of credit to the coach (meaning Canada)," explained Florio.
Despite the fact that the Steelers offense the past two seasons doesn't scream success. it may be more about what Canada does in the immediate moment and how he handles the adversity he has been dealt. Sometimes one year is enough according to Florio, and 2023 could be that year.
Karl Roser | Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers RB Najee Harris runs over an Atlanta Falcons defender in Week 3 of the 2023 preseason.
Fillipponi, along with all of Pittsburgh, is stunned at this assertation. Like the majority of fans, Fillipponi hasn't been impressed with Canada in the past few years. He actually pushed back at Florio to make sure that he was serious and was hearing him correctly. Florio insisted that the possibility is very real.
"The coaches from the teams with the best teams, best offenses, and best young quarterbacks who have done really well, that's how it goes. Those names end up bubbling up on the list of coaching interviews because everyone wants to bring in that coach and quarterback to work together."
Florio explained that if you are the offensive coordinator for a young quarterback who finds success in the NFL, the sky is almost the limit. That is the Holy Grail that all teams want and the whole league will sing that coordinator's praises if the quarterback is productive.
Well if you had "Head Coach Matt Canada" on your 2023 bingo card, you join Florio as the only other person who sees this as potentially coming. After all, the Steelers ranked as the 23rd offense in both 2021 and 2022 and averaged just 18.1 points per game in 2022.
AP Photo
Steelers' Matt Canada and Kenny Pickett.
Once you pick your jaw up off the floor, let us know what you think. Do you think Florio is making any sense? Do you think Canada can turn things around enough to be considered a head coach? Even if he does turn it around, short of winning a Super Bowl do you think he can do enough to be taken seriously after the past few seasons? Click to comment below.
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