The Pittsburgh Steelers know that they are in the middle of a very challenging situation involving their inept Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. The frustration stems from the impossible-to-understand decision to retain him following the subpar 2022 season, but also the bland, losing strategy put on the field in the Steelers 2023 opening day loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The 30-7 blowout was demoralizing, but even more so when most of the fans know they are most likely stuck with Canada through the entire 2023 season. For ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, things have reached a breaking point as far as Canada is concerned.
Chris Adamski / Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada is seen as the reason for the early 2023 offensive struggles
Steelers Must Make a Change And Rid Themselves Of Canada
On the Friday show of First Take, the panel was asked whether there should be worry surrounding the 2023 Steelers. Smith, never one to hold back on an opinion, made sure that everyone knew how he felt about where the blame should go. It wasn't subtle or veiled; everything comes down to Canada, at least in Smith's eyes. Kenny Pickett had one of his worst games as a professional, the defense was trounced and the performance wasted a brilliant showing from TJ Watt. To Smith, though, all of that could have been overcome, but the albatross around the neck of the Steelers is Canada, and that is what needs to change.
Smith laid into Mike Tomlin for being willing to take action when players do not perform, and yet with Canada, it seems like there is a double standard. That infuriated Smith, who went on a rant like only he could about Canada and the myriad of reasons why he should not have a job.
"Mike Tomlin, ya'll don't hesitate to make changes with players when they don't produce, but we wanna hold on to offensive coordinators! No, I'm not sold! I'm not sold. They looked better with Todd Haley!"
Shannon Sharpe jumped in to remind Smith that the reason why Todd Haley is no longer the offensive coordinator for the Steelers is because Ben Roethlisberger didn't want Haley. The worst-kept secret about the Roethlisberger-Haley relationship is that Haley didn't retain his job because of the issues between the coach and the quarterback. That didn't deter Smith, though, who was quick to remind Sharpe that Roethlisberger isn't in Pittsburgh anymore, and yet for some reason, Canada still is.
Gene Puskar / AP
Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger had a say in Matt Canada becoming offensive coordinator, but a change needs to happen in 2023
Steelers Should Pursue Todd Haley To Replace Matt Canada, Says Smith
The opinion that Canada should be fired is not an uncommon one, but Smith went one step further by actually recommending a name to replace him. Haley was not beloved in Pittsburgh by any means, but the grass always seems greener, and Steelers fans right now see their yard as bare and needing to be replanted. Smith agrees, going so far as saying that the Steelers should lure Haley away from what he is doing to take over for Canada.
"Todd Haley's on NFL Radio, Sirius XM, that's what he does, that's the last time we heard of him. They need to go back and get him before we got to deal with Matt Canada if he can't change things around. I'm getting sick and tired of this. I'm a Steelers fan, and I'm getting sick and tired of that offensive coordinator. Mike Tomlin, do something about it. He's getting on my nerves. He really, really is!"
While Smith believes that Haley is only doing radio for Sirius XM, the former NFL offensive coordinator is the 2023 head coach for the USFL team Memphis Showboats. Where Haley currently works isn't the point that Smith set out to make, but it might be more of a challenge for the Steelers to get Haley away from his current post overseeing the Showboats for the 2023 season. Although, perhaps if the grass really does seem greener all around, the thought may not be completely implausible.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin needs to admit the Matt Canada problem in 2023 and finally make a change")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin needs to admit the Matt Canada problem in 2023 and finally make a change
Rant or not, Smith sees what everyone else sees, both inside and outside of Pittsburgh; the job isn't getting done. The identity of the Steelers under Canada has been to underperform, score a pitiful amount, and force the defense to pick up the pieces when nothing works out. That is a far cry from the Super Bowl teams of the past, something the 2023 Steelers entered the season hoping to be a part of again. After seeing the lackluster energy and results from the 2023 season opener, continuing Tomlin's non-losing record might be a challenge in itself, let alone any hopes of a championship.
There is still plenty of time to hope in Pittsburgh, but in the back of every Steelers fan's mind is the knowledge that even with all the belief on earth, it's still Canada calling the plays. Until either Canada learns how to be something other than incompetent, or the Steelers actually make a change, that worry will remain. It's a long 2023 season, but that could either be a comfort or a curse. I's all up to Canada; how unfortunate is that?
Will the Steelers make a change in 2023 and fire Matt Canada? #SteelerNation
