"Nope" - Steelers Insider Adamantly Rejects Idea Of Team Firing Matt Canada In-Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense hasn't impressed anyone throughout the NFL since Matt Canada was promoted to be the offensive coordinator in January of 2021. It has been rather embarrassing for fans to root for a guy who has led the offense to a grand total of zero games of 400 total yards or more in a game since he became the play-caller. It was rather shocking when he was welcomed back for the 2023 season, but a strong exhibition period in August had people believing that his unit was new-and-improved. The hype stopped when an offense led by him and Kenny Pickett scored just seven points in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Canada's unit only totaled for 239 yards in the season opener and no one can fault Steelers fans for thinking that the preseason performances were only because the offense was going up against second-team defenses. The play-caller was already on the hot seat entering the 2023 campaign and he didn't help his case against the 49ers after an abysmal showing.

Some of the blame has to fall on Pickett, as he was less than impressive from a passing standpoint. He threw two interceptions, and also was uncharacteristically inaccurate. Canada spoke to the media on Thursday and was as far from being confrontational as he usually he. He confirmed to the media that he was not expecting his offense's effort on Sunday.

"We didn’t expect that. I’m not running from it," Canada said. "We didn’t perform well, and it’s disappointing. But everything we’ve done in the spring and summer, I don’t have any doubt that it’s going to be better."

He must know that there was a little bit of buzz around his 2023 philosophy that came about due to the first couple of team's showings in the preseason. Regardless, it's the meaningful games he has never showed up for.

The Steelers faithful didn't necessarily want to see Canada make it another year, but now that he is here, and produced another ugly performance, one has to wonder if he may be on his way out before the season ends. Pittsburgh has two formidable replacements in quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan and offensive assistant, Glenn Thomas.

Steelers Reporter Shuts Down Idea Of Canada Being Fired Midseason

Gerry Dulac, an insider from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was asked in one of his chats on Wednesday if there was any chance that the organization decides to move on from Canada in-season. It wasn't a very difficult question for the beat writer to answer.

"Nope," Dulac wrote.

Dulac was also asked about the Steelers first drive. Pickett found George Pickens for a six-yard gain on the first play and it was followed up by an ugly jet sweep that failed miserably. The reporter didn't necessarily seem bought into the fact of Canada being at fault for the majority of the game, but he agreed the first series was stalled because of the second offensive call of the game.

"One play does not make a half, let alone a game. But it was kind of a buzz-kill."

Pittsburgh will need to find a way to be more dynamic offensively. The NFL is not what is was when Mike Tomlin took over as the franchise's head coach in 2007. The days are no more where teams can consistently hold opposing offenses to less than 17 points. 

They say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, the Steelers offense has been broken for more than a couple years and Canada can only get away with being incompetent for so long. Pittsburgh has a strong tradition and ownership along with the front office rarely waver in their beliefs. The current play-calling should be an exception, though. No other franchise in the NFL would have retained Canada for this long. Something has to change.

Do you think the Steelers will fire Canada in the middle of the season if things go further south? Let us know in the comments below!

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